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, 20182020

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 001-32945001-36176

 

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)+1(201) 558 9001
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
Oliver Webster
First NamesIQ EQ (Isle of Man) Limited
First Names House
Victoria Road
Douglas, IM2 4DF
Isle of Man
Tel: (44) 1624 630 630
Email:iom@firstnames.com oliver.webster@iqeq.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 Trading
Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
A ordinary share, par value GBP 0.30 per shareEROS 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, 2018, 55,718,423‘A’2020, 127,116,702 ‘A’ ordinary shares and 9,712,71519,899,085 ‘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, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. 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 
Emerging growth company    

 

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any with any new or revised financial accounting standards†standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

 

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

 

(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes   No

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

 

   Page
PART I   
ITEM 1.IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS 1
ITEM 2.2.OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE 1
ITEM 3.KEY INFORMATION 1
ITEM 4.INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY 2840
ITEM 4A.UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS 6471
ITEM 5.OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS 6471
ITEM 6.DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES 84100
ITEM 7.MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 96114
ITEM 8.FINANCIAL INFORMATION 99115
ITEM 9.THE OFFER AND LISTING 100115
ITEM 10.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 101117
ITEM 11.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK 112136
ITEM 12.12.DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES 113137
    
PART II   
ITEM 13.DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES 114138
ITEM 14.MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS 114138
ITEM 15.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 114138
ITEM 16A.AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT 115140
ITEM 16B.CODE OF ETHICS 115140
ITEM 16C.PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES 115140
ITEM 16D.EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES 115140
ITEM 16E.PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS 115140
ITEM 16F.CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT 115141
ITEM 16G.CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 116141
ITEM 16H.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE 116141
    
PART III   
ITEM 17.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 117142
ITEM 18.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 117142
ITEM 19.EXHIBITS 118143
SIGNATURES  144
INDEX TO EROS INTERNATIONAL’S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS F-1

 

i

 

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 (IASB). Our fiscal year ends on March 31 of each year. When we refer to a fiscal year, such as fiscal year 2018,2020, fiscal 20182020 or FY 2018,2020, we are referring to the fiscal year ended on March 31 of that year. The “Founders Group” refers to Beech Investments Limited and Kishore Lulla and Vijay Ahuja.Lulla. “$” 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, Telugu and other regional language 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” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, and such statements are subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “approximately,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “continue,” “could,” “expect,” “future,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “will” 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. All of our forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that we are expecting, including, without limitation:

 

·our ability to successfully and cost-effectively source film content;
·our ability to achieve the desired growth rate of Eros Now, our digital over-the-top (“OTT”) entertainment service;
·our ability to charge and collect revenues from Eros Now D2C subscribers
·our ability to refresh and update EN with new content
·our ability to continue to monetize throughout the telco infrastructure in India;
·risks that the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic and spread of COVID-19, and related public health measures in India and elsewhere, may have material adverse effects on our business, financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows;
·our ability to maintain or raise sufficient capital;
·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 ability to maintain existing rights, and to acquire new rights, to film content;
·our ability to successfully defend any future class action law suits we are a party to in the U.S.;
·anonymous letters to regulators or business associates or anonymous allegations on social media regarding our business practices, accounting practices and/or officers and directors;
·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;
·our ability to maintain or raise sufficient capital;
·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;
·our ability to achieve the desired growth rate of Eros Now, our digital OTT entertainment service;
·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 dependence on our relationships with theater operators and other industry participants to exploit our film content;
·our ability to mitigate risks relating to distribution and collection in international markets;
·fluctuation in the value of the Indian Rupeerupee against foreign currencies;
·our ability to compete in the Indian film industry;
·our ability to compete with other forms of entertainment;
·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;
·our ability to achieve or maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting;

 ii

·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;
·regulatory changes in the Indian film industry and our ability to respond to them;
·our ability to satisfy debt obligations, fund working capital and pay dividends;
·the monetary and fiscal policies of India and other countries around the world, inflation, deflation, unanticipated turbulence in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity prices or other rates or prices; and
·our ability to address the risks associated with acquisition opportunities.
·the possibility that the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement with STX Filmworks, Inc. (described further below in “Part I — Item 10. Additional Information — C. Material Contracts”) is delayed or does not occur, and the challenges, costs and potential disruptions associated with closing, integrating and achieving the anticipated benefits of such transactions, some or all of which anticipated benefits may take longer to realize than expected or may not be realized fully or at all.
·our ability to manage geo-political and global trade risks on account of content limitations, tariffs, taxes, and supply chain disruptions.

 

ii 

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. The forward-looking statements contained in this annual report are based on historical performance and management’s current plans, estimates and expectations in light of information currently available to us and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to changes in global, regional or local political, economic, business, competitive, market, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should any of our assumptions prove to be incorrect, our actual results may vary in material respects from what we may have expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We caution that you should not place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this annual report speaks only as of the date on which we make it. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

 

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 statements of income data for each of the three years ended March 31, 2018, 2017,2020, 2019, and 20162018 and the selected statements of financial position data as of March 31, 20182020 and 20172019 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 statements of income data for each of the two years ended March 31, 20152017 and 20142016 and the selected historical statements of financial position data as of March 31, 2016, 2015,2018, 2017, and 20142016 have been derived from audited consolidated financial statements not included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

 

 Year ended March 31,  Year ended March 31, 
 2018  2017  2016  2015  2014  2020  2019  2018  2017  2016 
 (in thousands, except (Loss)/Earnings per share)  (in thousands, except (Loss)/Earnings per share) 
Selected Statement of Income Data                                        
Revenue $261,253  $252,994  $274,428  $284,175  $235,470  $155,452  $270,126  $261,253  $252,994  $274,428 
Cost of sales  (134,708)  (164,240)  (172,764)  (155,777)  (132,933)  (81,725)  (155,396)  (134,708)  (164,240)  (172,764)
Gross profit  126,545   88,754   101,664   128,398   102,537   73,727   114,730   126,545   88,754   101,664 
Administrative costs  (68,029)  (63,309)  (64,019)  (49,546)  (42,680)  (144,319)  (87,134)  (68,029)  (63,309)  (64,019)
Operating profit  58,516   25,445   37,645   78,852   59,857 
Operating (loss)/profit before impairment loss  (70,592)  27,596   58,516   25,445   37,645 
Impairment loss  (431,200)  (423,335)         
Operating (loss)/profit  (501,792)  (395,739)  58,516   25,445   37,645 
Net finance costs  (17,813)  (17,156)  (8,010)  (5,861)  (7,517)  (8,779)  (7,674)  (17,813)  (17,156)  (8,010)
Other gains/(losses), net  (41,321)  14,205   (3,636)  (10,483)  (2,353)  (3,316)  288   (41,321)  14,205   (3,636)
(Loss)/Profit before tax  (618)  22,494   25,999   62,508   49,987 
Income tax expense  (9,127)  (11,039)  (12,711)  (13,178)  (12,843)
(Loss)/Profit for the year(1) $(9,745) $11,455  $13,288  $49,330  $37,144 
Profit/(loss) before tax  (513,887)  (403,125)  (618   22,494   25,999 
Income tax  22,183   (7,328)  (9,127)  (11,039)  (12,711)
Profit/(loss) for the year (1) $(491,704) $(410,453) $(9,745) $11,455  $13,288 
                                        
(Loss)/Earnings per share (cents)                                        
Basic (loss)/earnings per share  (36.3)  6.4   6.6   74.3   65.5   (389.6)  (599.5)  (36.3)  6.4   6.6 
Diluted (loss)/earnings per share  (36.3)  5.1   5.2   72.4   65.2   (389.6)  (599.5)  (36.3)  5.1   5.2 
                                        
Weighted average number of ordinary shares                                        
Basic  62,151   59,410   57,732   54,278   45,590   107,533   70,707   62,151   59,410   57,732 
Diluted  63,482   60,943   59,036   54,969   45,607   115,770   72,170   63,482   60,943   59,036 
                                        
Other non-GAAP measures                                        
EBITDA(2) $20,186  $42,548  $36,294  $70,066  $58,871  $(501,646) $(393,188) $20,186  $42,548  $36,294 
Adjusted EBITDA(2) $78,575  $55,664  $70,852  $101,150  $80,284  $54,842  $69,378  $76,139  $55,664  $70,852 
Gross Adjusted EBITDA(2) $193,860  $190,980  $199,155  $218,404  $179,904  $119,293  $199,533  $191,424  $190,980  $199,155 


 

 Year ended March 31,  Year ended March 31, 
 2018  2017  2016  2015  2014  2020  2019  2018  2017  2016 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Selected Statement of Financial Position Data:                                        
Cash and cash equivalents $87,762  $112,267  $182,774  $153,664  $145,449  $2,563  $89,117  $87,762  $112,267  $182,774 
Goodwill  3,800   4,992   5,097   1,878   1,878         3,800   4,992   5,097 
Total assets  1,410,319   1,343,365   1,247,878   1,149,533   906,011   607,656   1,088,902   1,410,319   1,343,365   1,247,878 
Debt:                                        
Current portion  151,963   180,029   210,587   96,397   92,879   116,858   208,908   151,963   180,029   210,587 
Long-term portion  124,983   89,841   92,630   218,273   165,254   62,114   71,920   124,983   89,841   92,630 
Total liabilities  406,902   459,817   438,784   393,478   327,970   299,170   431,917   406,902   459,817   438,784 
                                        
Equity attributable to Eros International Plc  865,689   804,457   740,332   697,334   527,691   249,119   521,456   865,689   804,457   740,332 
Equity attributable to non-controlling interests  137,728   79,091   68,762   58,721   50,350   59,367   135,529   137,728   79,091   68,762 
Total equity $1,003,417  $883,548  $809,094  $756,055  $578,041  $308,486  $656,985  $1,003,417  $883,548  $809,094 

_______________

(1)References to “net income” in this document correspond to “profit/(loss) for the period” or “profit/(loss) for the year” line items in our consolidated financial statement appearing elsewhere in this document.
(2)

We use EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Gross 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(gain)/impairment of available-for-sale financial assets, profit/loss on held for trading liabilities (including profit/loss on derivative financial instruments), transactions costs relating to equity transactions, share based payments, Loss / (Gain) on sale of property and equipment, Loss on de-recognition of financial assets measured at amortized cost, net, Credit impairment loss, net, Loss on financial liability (convertible notes) measured at fair value through profit and loss, Loss on deconsolidation of a subsidiary and Impairmentexceptional items such as impairment of goodwill.goodwill, trademark, film & content rights and content advances. Gross Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Adjusted EBITDA adjusted for amortization amortization of intangible films and content rights. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Gross Adjusted 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 Adjusted EBITDA and Gross Adjusted 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, Adjusted EBITDA and Gross Adjusted EBITDA provide no information regarding a Company’s capital structure, borrowings, interest costs, capital expenditures and working capital movement or tax position.

(*)The Company has discontinued disclosure of adjustment towards significant discounting component and accordingly comparatives have been changed.


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

  

  Year ended March 31 
  2020  2019  2018  2017  2016 
                
(Loss)/Profit for the year $(491,704)  (410,453) $(9,745) $11,455  $13,288 
Income tax expense  (22,183)  7,328   9,127   11,039   12,711 
Net finance costs  8,779   7,674   17,813   17,156   8,010 
Depreciation  2,568   1,049   1,265   1,082   1,154 
Amortization(a)  894   1,214   1,726   1,816   1,131 
EBITDA (Non-GAAP)  (501,646)  (393,188)  20,186   42,548   36,294 
(Gain)/Impairment of available-for-sale financial assets  1,253         (58)   
Net (gain)/loss on derivative financial instruments        586   (10,297   3,566 
Share based payments(b)  22,268   21,561   17,918   23,471   30,992 
Loss/(Gain) on sale of property and equipment  70   97   (2)      
Loss on de-recognition of financial assets measured at amortized cost, net  5,285   5,988   3,562       
Credit impairment loss, net  90,808   10,673          
Loss on financial liability (convertible notes) measured at fair value through profit and loss  15,987   21,398   13,840       
Loss on deconsolidation of a subsidiary        14,649       
Impairment of goodwill        1,205       
Reversal credit impairment losses/(gains)  (10,383)  (20,698)  4,308       
Closure of derivative     249          
Impairment loss  431,200   423,335          
Others     (37)  (113)      
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)(b) $54,842  $69,378(*) $76,139(*) $55,664  $70,852 
Amortization of intangible films and content rights  64,451   130,155   115,285   135,316   128,303 
Gross Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)(b) $119,293  $199,533  $191,424  $190,980  $199,155 

  Year ended March 31, 
  2018  2017  2016  2015  2014 
  (in thousands) 
(Loss)/Profit for the year $(9,745) $11,455  $13,288  $49,330  $37,144 
Income tax expense  9,127   11,039   12,711   13,178   12,843 
Net finance costs  17,813   17,156   8,010   5,861   7,517 
Depreciation  1,265   1,082   1,154   1,089   789 
Amortization(a)  1,726   1,816   1,131   608   578 
EBITDA (Non-GAAP)  20,186   42,548   36,294   70,066   58,871 
(Gain)/Impairment of available-for-sale financial assets  2,436   (58)     1,307    
Transaction costs relating to equity transactions           61   8,169 
Net (gain)/loss on derivative financial instruments  586   (10,297)  3,566   7,801   (5,177)
Share based payments(b)  17,918   23,471   30,992   21,915   18,421 
Loss/(Gain) on sale of property and equipment  (2)            
Loss on de-recognition of financial assets measured at amortized cost, net  3,562             
Credit impairment loss, net  4,308             
Loss on financial liability (convertible notes) measured at fair value through profit and loss  13,840             
Loss on deconsolidation of a subsidiary  14,649             
Impairment of goodwill  1,205             
Others  (113)            
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)(b) $78,575  $55,664  $70,852   101,150  $80,284 
Amortization of intangible films and content rights  115,285   135,316   128,303   117,254   99,620 
Gross Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)(b) $193,860  $190,980  $199,155   218,404  $179,904 

_______________

(a)

Includes only amortization of intangible assets other than capitalized film content.

(b)Consists of compensation costs, recognizedrecognised with respect to all outstanding share based compensation plans and all other equity settled instruments.
(*)The Company has discontinued disclosure of adjustment towards significant discounting component and accordingly comparatives have been changed.

 2

Our management team believes that EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Gross 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, Adjusted EBITDA and Gross 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. Adjusted EBITDA and Gross Adjusted EBITDA reported by different companies.

 

Exchange Rate Information

Our functional and reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate prevailingruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates at ruling on 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 prevailingruling 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

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

  Period End Average(1) High Low
Fiscal Year        
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
2017 64.85 67.01 68.86 64.85
2018 65.11 64.46 65.71 63.38
         
Months        
April 2017 64.27 64.54 65.10 64.08
May 2017 64.50 64.42 64.87 64.03
June 2017 64.62 64.45 64.66 64.23
July 2017 64.18 64.42 64.84 64.11
August 2017 63.93 63.97 64.16 63.64
September 2017 65.30 64.48 65.71 63.78
October 2017 64.75 65.04 65.48 64.70
November 2017 64.46 64.84 65.46 64.29
December 2017 63.83 64.24 64.57 63.83
January 2018 63.58 63.65 64.01 63.38
February 2018 65.20 64.43 65.20 63.93
March 2018 65.11 65.05 65.24 64.83
April 2018 66.50 65.67 66.92 64.92
May 2018 67.40 67.51 68.38 66.52
June 2018 68.46 67.79 68.81 66.87
  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
2017 64.85 67.01 68.86 64.85
2018 65.11 64.46 65.71 63.38
2019 69.16 69.91 74.33 64.92
2020 75.39 70.90 71.66 70.10
         
Months        
April 2019 69.64 69.41 70.19 68.58
May 2019 69.63 69.77 70.62 69.08
June 2019 68.92 69.39 69.83 68.92
July 2019 68.81 68.74 69.03 68.40
August 2019 71.45 71.19 72.02 69.00
September 2019 70.64 71.32 72.20 70.49
October 2019 71.01 71.00 71.48 70.71
November 2019 71.75 71.48 72.12 70.76
December 2019 71.36 71.16 71.70 70.62
January 2020 71.53 71.27 71.86 70.69
February 2020 72.53 71.53 72.53 71.11
March 2020 75.39 74.55 76.37 72.88
April 2020 75.08 76.17 76.95 75.08
May 2020 75.59 75.67 76.08 75.03
June 2020 75.63 75.73 76.32 75.03

 

(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 were to occur, our business affairs, prospects, assets, financial condition, results of operations and cashflowscash flows could be materially and adversely affected, and the market price of our A ordinary shares could decline.

Risks Related Additionally, the pandemic caused by a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) has had, and is expected to Our Business

Anonymous letterscontinue 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 effectimpact on our business, financial condition and results of operations, and could negatively impact the market price for our A ordinary shares.

We have been, and in the future may be, the targetas well as those of anonymous letters sent to regulators or business associates or anonymous allegations posted on social media or circulated in short selling reports regarding our accounting practices, 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, including extensive due diligence to investigate the allegations, and where necessary our board of directors has engaged third party professional firms to report directly to the Company’s Audit Committee. Having conducted these investigations, in each instance we found the allegations were without merit. However, the public dissemination of these allegations has adversely affected our reputation, business and the market pricemany of our securitiesbusiness partners, and required uslocal, national, and global economies. The COVID-19 pandemic has also amplified many of the other risks discussed below to spend significant management time and incur substantial costs to address them.

If anonymous allegationswhich we are made in the future, 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 and increased directors and officers’ liability insurance premiums and could have a material adverse effect upon our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and ability to access the capital markets.

subject. We are partyunable to class action lawsuits inpredict the U.S.extent to which the pandemic and an adverse ruling could have a material adverse effect onits related impacts will adversely affect us. However, given the unpredictable, unprecedented, and fluid nature of the pandemic, it may also materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations in ways that are not currently anticipated by or known to us or that we do not currently consider to present significant risk.

Risks Relating to the STX Transaction and could negatively impact the market price of our A ordinary shares.

Beginning on November 13, 2015, theCombined 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 shareholdersUpon Completion of the Company. The actions have been consolidated and a single consolidated actionSTX Transaction

We cannot assure you that the STX Transaction will occur on the timeframe that is now pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

currently contemplated or at all.

On April 5, 2016,17, 2020, Eros entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with STX Filmworks, Inc., a lead plaintiffDelaware corporation (“STX”), England Holdings 2, Inc., a Delaware corporation and lead counsel were appointedindirect wholly owned subsidiary of Eros (“England Holdings 2”), and England Merger 1 Corp. (f/k/a England Merger Corp.), a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of England Holdings 2 (“Merger Sub”), which provides for, among other things, the merger of Merger Sub with and into STX (the “Merger”), with STX surviving as the surviving corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of England Holdings 2. Eros, as the combined company following the Merger, is referred to hereafter as the “combined company.” The Merger and the related transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are collectively referred to hereafter as the “STX Transaction.” The Merger Agreement and the STX Transaction are described in greater detail below under “Part I –Item 10. Additional Information – C. Material Contracts.” While the parties currently expect that the STX transaction will be consummated on or shortly after the date of this Report, there is still a risk that the STX Transaction may not be consummated, including if one or more parties fails to perform under or breaches the PIPE Subscription Agreement. If the STX Transaction does not occur, our ability to conduct our business in the now consolidated New York action. A single consolidated complaint was filedmanner and on July 14, 2016the timelines presently planned could be materially and amendednegatively affected, and such failure could have a material adverse impact on October 10, 2016.our stock price, business and our results of operation and financial condition.

Uncertainties associated with the STX Transaction may cause a loss of management personnel and other key employees, which could adversely affect the future business and operations of the combined company following completion of the STX Transaction.

Both Eros and STX are dependent on the experience and industry knowledge of their officers and other key employees to execute their business plans and the business plan of the combined company. The plaintiffs have allegedcombined company’s success after the completion of the STX Transaction will depend in part upon the ability of the combined company to retain certain key management personnel and employees of Eros and STX. No assurance can be given that the Company and certain individual defendants — Kishore Lulla, Jyoti Deshpande, Andrew Heffernan, and Prem Parameswaran — have violatedcombined company, after the federal securities laws, specifically Sections 10(b) and 20(a)completion of the Securities Exchange ActSTX Transaction, will be able to attract or retain key management personnel and other key employees to the same extent that Eros and STX have previously been able to attract or retain their own employees.

Following the STX Transaction, the composition of 1934the combined company board of directors will be different than the composition of the current Eros board of directors.

The Eros board of directors currently consists of seven directors. Upon completion of the STX Transaction, the board of directors of the combined company will consist of nine directors, including four directors who were selected by the Founders Group (one of whom must be an independent director), four directors who were selected by STX (one of whom must be an independent director), and an independent director jointly selected by the Founders Group and STX. This new composition of the board of directors of the combined company may affect the future decisions of the combined company.

The combined company may be unable to successfully integrate Eros and STX and realize the anticipated benefits of the STX Transaction.

The success of the STX Transaction will depend, in part, on the combined company’s ability to successfully combine and integrate Eros and STX, and realize the anticipated benefits, including synergies, cost savings, innovation and strategic growth opportunities and operational efficiencies from the STX Transaction in a manner that does not materially disrupt existing customer, supplier, talent, producer, distributor, employee and other industry relations and does not result in decreased revenues due to losses of, or decreases in purchase and/or viewership of its content and service offerings by, subscribers and other counterparties. If the Exchange Act.combined company is unable to achieve these objectives within the anticipated time frame, or at all, the anticipated benefits may not be realized fully or at all, or may take longer to realize than expected, and the value of the combined company’s A ordinary shares may decline. The amended consolidated complaint claimscombined company may fail to realize some or all of the anticipated benefits of the STX Transaction if the integration process takes longer than expected or is more costly than expected.

The integration of the two companies may result in material challenges, including, without limitation:

·managing a larger, more complex combined business;
·maintaining employee morale and retaining key management and other employees;
·retaining existing business and operational relationships, including customers, suppliers, distributors, employees and other counterparties, and attracting new business and operational relationships;
·consolidating corporate and administrative infrastructures and eliminating duplicative operations, including unanticipated issues in integrating information technology, communications and other systems;
·coordinating geographically separate organizations; and
·unforeseen expenses or delays associated with the STX Transaction.

Many of these factors will be outside of the combined company’s control, and any one of them could result in delays, increased costs, decreases in the amount of expected revenues and other adverse impacts, which could materially affect the combined company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Due to legal restrictions, Eros and STX have been and are primarily focusedcurrently permitted to conduct only limited planning for the integration of the two companies following the STX Transaction. The actual integration may result in additional and unforeseen expenses, and the anticipated benefits of the integration plan may not be realized on whethera timely basis, if at all.

In addition, the Companycombined company’s ability to successfully integrate and individual defendants made material misrepresentations concerningmanage its expanded business and achieve the Company’santicipated benefits of the STX Transaction may be materially and adversely effected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which is discussed in greater detail below. The ability of both Eros and STX to generate revenues from the monetization of film librarycontent in various distribution channels, including through agreements with commercial theatre operators, has been and materially misstatedmay continue to be adversely effected by the usageCOVID-19 pandemic. The full extent and functionalityscope of the impact of the pandemic on national, regional and global markets and economies, and therefore the combined company’s business and industry and efforts to integrate its expanded business and organization and realize anticipated benefits of the STX Transaction, is highly uncertain and cannot be predicted.

The future results of the combined company may be adversely impacted if the combined company does not effectively manage its complex operations following the completion of the STX Transaction.

Following the completion of the STX Transaction, the size of the combined company’s business will be significantly larger than the current size of either Eros’ business or STX’s business. The combined company’s ability to successfully manage this expanded business will depend, in part, upon management’s ability to design and implement strategic initiatives that address not only the integration of Eros Now, our digital OTT entertainment service.

On September 25, 2017,and STX, but also the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York entered a Memorandumincreased scale and Order dismissing a putative securities class action, with prejudice, against Eros and certain officers and directors. On October 23, 2017, lead plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal, individually and on behalfscope of the putative class, to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. The appeal does not dispute the District Court’s dismissal,combined business with prejudice, of lead plaintiffs’ allegations relating to the Company’s film library. The only remaining claim pertains to alleged misstatements concerning the usageits associated increased costs and functionality of Eros Now. Although the Company remains confident that the Second Circuit will affirm dismissal, therecomplexity. There can be no assurances that the combined company will be successful in integrating the businesses or that it will realize the expected operating efficiencies, cost savings, strategic growth opportunities and other benefits currently anticipated from the STX Transaction.

Current Eros shareholders will generally have a reduced ownership and voting interest in the combined company after the STX Transaction.

Immediately after the completion of the STX Transaction, each Eros shareholder will remain a shareholder of Eros, as the combined company, but with a percentage ownership that will be less than half of such shareholder’s percentage of Eros as of immediately prior to the STX Transaction. As a result of this reduced ownership percentage, existing Eros shareholders will generally have less voting power in the combined company after the STX Transaction than they did prior to the STX Transaction.

Pursuant to an Investors’ Rights Agreement and the Amended Articles of Association, the Founders Group and certain significant stockholders of STX will have rights relating to governance of the combined company that are different from shareholders generally.

As described below under “Part I –Item 10. Additional Information – C. Material Contracts,” the Founders Group and certain significant stockholders of STX (the “STX Parties”) will enter into an Investors’ Rights Agreement at the effective time of the Merger. In addition, as required by the Merger Agreement, we convened an extraordinary general meeting of our shareholders on June 29, 2020 at which the requisite percentage of our shareholders approved the Amended Articles of Association, key provisions of which are also described in “Part I –Item 10. Additional Information – C. Material Contracts.” By virtue of the Investors’ Rights Agreement and the Amended Articles of Association, for a period lasting up to three years following the consummation of the STX Transaction, the Founders Group will have the right to nominate four out of nine directors on the combined company’s board of directors and certain of the STX Parties affiliated with Hony Capital (“Hony”) will have the right to nominate four out of nine directors on the combined company’s board of directors. In addition, during this period, the board of directors of the combined company will not become subjectbe permitted to unfavorable interimtake certain significant corporate actions, including adopting the combined company’s annual business plan and budget, without the approval of at least one non-independent member of the board of directors that was nominated by the Founders Group. During this period, the board of directors of the combined company also will not be permitted to hire or preliminary rulingsterminate any of the chief executive officer, chief financial officer or president (or co-presidents) of the combined company without the approval of at least one non-independent member of the board of directors that prolongwas nominated by the litigation processFounders Group and at least one member of the board of directors that was nominated by Hony. In exercising their rights under the Investors’ Rights Agreement and the Amended Articles of Association, the Founders Group and STX Parties may have interests that are different from or that a favorable outcome will be obtained.


We are unablein addition to predict how long such proceedings will continuethe interests of the combined company’s other shareholders.

Each of Eros and anticipate that we will continueSTX has incurred substantial expenses related to the completion of the STX Transaction and expects to incur significant costssubstantial expenses related to the integration of Eros and STX.

Each of Eros and STX has incurred substantial expenses in connection with the completion of the STX Transaction and expects to incur substantial expenses to integrate a large number of processes, policies, procedures, operations, technologies and systems of Eros and STX in connection with the STX Transaction. The substantial majority of these matterscosts will be non-recurring expenses related to the transactions and facilities and systems consolidation costs. The combined company may incur additional costs or suffer loss of business under third-party contracts that are terminated or that contain change in control or other provisions that may be triggered by the completion of the transactions, and/or losses of, or decreases in transactions by, customers and business partners of Eros and STX, and may also incur costs to retain certain key management personnel and employees. Eros and STX will also incur transaction fees and costs related to formulating integration plans for the combined business, and the execution of these plans may lead to additional unanticipated costs and time delays. These incremental transaction-related costs may exceed the savings the combined company expects to achieve from the elimination of duplicative costs and the realization of other efficiencies related to the integration of the businesses, particularly in the near term and in the event there are material unanticipated costs. Factors beyond the parties’ control could affect the total amount or timing of these expenses, many of which, by their nature, are difficult to estimate accurately.

The market price of the combined company’s A ordinary shares after the STX Transaction is completed may be affected by factors different from those affecting the price of Eros A ordinary shares before the STX Transaction is completed.

Upon completion of the STX Transaction, holders of Eros A ordinary shares will be holders of A ordinary shares of the combined company. As the businesses of Eros and STX are different, the results of operations as well as the price of the combined company’s A ordinary shares may, in the future, be affected by factors different from, or may be affected differently by, those factors affecting Eros an independent stand-alone company. The combined company will face additional risks and uncertainties to which each of Eros and STX may currently not be exposed. As a result, the market price of the combined company’s shares may fluctuate significantly following completion of the STX Transaction.

The market price of the combined company’s A ordinary shares may decline as a result of the STX Transaction.

The market price of the combined company’s A ordinary shares may decline as a result of the STX Transaction if, among other things, the operational cost savings estimates in connection with the integration of Eros’s business and STX’s business are not realized, there are unanticipated negative impacts on Eros’s financial position, or if the transaction costs related to the STX Transaction are greater than expected. The market price also may decline if the combined company does not achieve the perceived benefits of the STX Transaction as rapidly or to the extent not coveredanticipated by our insurance policy and that these proceedings, investigations and inquiries will result in a substantial distraction of management’s time, regardlessfinancial or industry analysts or if the effect of the outcome. Totransactions on the extentcombined company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows is not consistent with the expectations of financial or industry analysts.

In addition, sales of combined company’s A ordinary shares after the completion of the STX Transaction may cause the market price of such shares to decrease. It is estimated that this or any future litigationEros will issue approximately 236,262,932 A ordinary shares, including up to which we are a party results40 million share equity awards, in an unfavorable judgment or if we decideconnection with the STX Transaction, based on the number of outstanding shares, including share equity awards, and the 10-day volume weighted average price of Eros A ordinary shares as of July 29, 2020. While STX stockholders who did not purchase shares pursuant to settle this or other lawsuits, we maythe PIPE Subscription Agreement described below under “Part I –Item 10. Additional Information – C. Material Contracts” will be required to pay substantial monetary damages or fines or make changes to our products or business practices.

If we become subject to class action lawsuits or any other related lawsuits or investigations or proceedings by regulatorsa contractual 18-month lockup period during which they may not sell the combined company’s A ordinary shares they receive in the future, itMerger, those STX stockholders who purchase shares pursuant to the PIPE Subscription Agreement are subject only to a 75-day lockup period (with respect to both the shares they receive in the Merger and the shares they purchase in the PIPE Subscription Agreement). Such STX stockholders may decide not to hold the shares of combined company common stock they will receive in STX Transaction beyond the 75-day lockup period. In addition, existing Eros shareholders may decide not to continue to hold their A ordinary shares following completion of the STX Transaction. Such sales of combined company A ordinary shares could result in a diversionhave the effect of management resources, time and energy, significant costs, a material decline indepressing the market price for ourthe combined company’s A ordinary shares, increasedshares.

Any of these events may make it more difficult for the combined company to sell equity or equity-related securities, dilute your ownership interest in the combined company and have an adverse impact on the price of the combined company’s A ordinary shares.

If certain U.S. federal income tax rules regarding ‘‘inversion transactions’’ apply to us as a result of the STX Transaction, such rules could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.

Under section 7874 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (‘‘Code’’), a foreign corporation is treated as a “surrogate foreign corporation” if, pursuant to a plan (or a series of related transactions) (1) the foreign corporation completes the direct or indirect acquisition of substantially all of the properties held, directly or indirectly, by a U.S. corporation, (2) after the acquisition at least 60% of the stock (by vote or value) of the foreign corporation is held by former shareholders and certain creditors of the U.S. corporation by reason of their holding stock or debt obligations of the U.S. corporation (such percentage held by such persons being the ‘‘Section 7874 Percentage’’), and (3) after the acquisition, the “expanded affiliated group” (within the meaning of section 7874 of the Code) that includes the foreign corporation does not have substantial business activities in the foreign country in which, or under the law of which, the foreign corporation is created or organized, relative to the total business activities of such expanded affiliated group.

If the Section 7874 Percentage is at least 60% but less than 80% and a foreign corporation is a surrogate foreign corporation with respect to a U.S. corporation, several limitations apply to the U.S. corporation, including, but not limited to, the prohibition, for a period of ten years, of the use of net operating losses, foreign tax credits and other tax attributes to offset the income or gain recognized by reason of transfer of any property to a foreign related person or to offset any income received or accrued during such period by reason of a license of any property to a foreign related person and an additional minimum tax under Section 59A of the Code on certain ‘‘base eroding’’ payments to members of the expanded affiliated group that are foreign corporations. In addition, under section 4985 of the Code and the rules related thereto, an excise tax at a rate of currently 20% is imposed on the value of certain share price volatilitycompensation held directly or indirectly by certain ‘‘disqualified individuals’’ (including certain of officers and increased directorsdirectors). Further, shareholders of the foreign corporation that are United States persons for U.S. federal income tax purposes may not be eligible for reduced rates on dividends paid by the foreign corporation.

If the Section 7874 Percentage is at least 80% and officers liability insurance premiumsa foreign corporation is a surrogate foreign corporation with respect to a U.S. corporation, the foreign corporation will be treated as a U.S. corporation, regardless of the fact that such corporation is also incorporated in a foreign country. If the foreign corporation were treated as a U.S. corporation, the entire net income of the foreign corporation would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis and couldwould be determined under U.S. federal income tax principles.

[Based on the facts as of the date hereof, we expect that, after the consummation of the STX Transaction, the Section 7874 Percentage with respect to former STX shareholders and creditors will be less than 60% and therefore we do not expect to be treated as a “surrogate foreign corporation” within the meaning of section 7874 of the Code.] Determining the Section 7874 Percentage, however, is complex and cannot be made until after the consummation of the STX Transaction, and is subject to legal uncertainties and factual uncertainties. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Section 7874 Percentage will be less than 60%. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application of section 7874 of the Code to the STX Transaction and its potential tax consequences. A determination that we are a surrogate foreign corporation for the purposes of section 7874 of the Code may have a material adverse effect upon oureffects on the business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of the combined company following the STX Transaction.

Risks Related to Our Business

The COVID-19 pandemic and other adverse public health developments has adversely affected our business and results of operations.

In December 2019, COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. While initially the outbreak was largely concentrated in China and caused significant disruptions to its economy, it has now spread globally to many countries where we distribute films theatrically, including India, United Kingdom, United States, Dubai, Singapore and Australia. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization designated the outbreak a pandemic. Governments and businesses around the world have taken unprecedented actions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, including imposing restrictions on movement and travel such as quarantines and shelter-in-place requirements, or nationwide lockdowns, as well as restricting or prohibiting outright some or all commercial and business activity, including the closure of some or all theatres and disrupting the production and availability of content, including delayed, or in some cases, shortened or cancelled theatrical releases. These measures, though currently temporary in nature, may become more severe and continue indefinitely depending on the evolution of the pandemic. To date, no fully effective vaccines or treatments have been developed and effective vaccines or treatments may not be discovered soon enough to protect against a further worsening of the pandemic.

The pandemic has materially and adversely affected our ability to generate revenues from the monetization of Indian film content in various distribution channels through agreements with commercial theatre operators, and may continue to do so unless and until the pandemic subsides or an effective treatment or vaccine is discovered. The extent of the adverse impact on our financial and operational results will be dictated by the length of time that such disruptions continue, which will, in turn, depend on the currently unknowable duration of COVID-19 and among other things, the impact of governmental actions imposed in response to the pandemic and individuals’ and companies’ risk tolerance regarding health matters going forward. Our business also could be significantly affected even after reopening of certain operations, should the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 lead to changes in consumer behavior (such as social distancing becoming the norm independent of any pandemic conditions) and also delayed in production schedule. For example, some areas may not re-open movie theatres or, if they do, some individuals may not feel comfortable gathering in public places such as movie theatres.

The continued spread of COVID-19 has adversely affected many industries as well as the economies and financial markets of many countries, including in many of the countries in which we distribute content, resulting in a significant deceleration of economic activity. This slowdown has reduced production, decreased the level of trade, and led to widespread corporate downsizing, causing a sharp increase in unemployment. We have also seen significant disruption of and extreme volatility in the global capital markets, which could increase the cost of, or entirely restrict access to, capital. This volatility and uncertainty have adversely affected our stock price and may continue to do so. As a result, to the extent we determine it is in our best interests to access the capital markets.markets or refinance some or all of our indebtedness, we may not be able to do so on terms that are acceptable to us or at all. The impact of this outbreak on global, national and local economies is still uncertain and, unless the outbreak is contained, these adverse impacts could worsen, impacting all segments of the global economy, and result in a significant recession or worse.

Considerable uncertainty still surrounds COVID-19 and its potential effects, and the extent of and effectiveness of any responses taken on a local, national and global level. Infections may become more widespread and that could accelerate or magnify one or more of the risks described above. While we expect the pandemic and related events will have a negative effect on our business, the full extent and scope of the impact on national, regional and global markets and economies, and therefore our business and industry, is highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. Accordingly, our ability to conduct our business in the manner and on the timelines presently planned could be materially and negatively affected, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our business and our results of operation and financial condition.

We are monitoring the rapidly evolving situation and its potential impacts on our financial position, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows.

10 

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 monetizing Indian film content that we primarily co-produce or acquire from third parties, and then distribute through various channels. Our ability to successfully enter into co-productions and to acquire content depends on, among other things, our ability to maintain existing relationships, and form new ones, with talent and other industry participants.

The pool of quality talent in India is limited and, as a result, there is significant competition to secure the services of certain actors, directors, composers and producers, among others. Competition can increase the cost of such talent, and hence the cost of film content. These costs may continue to increase, making it more difficult for us to access content cost-effectively and reducing our ability to sustain our margins and maximize revenues from distribution and monetization. 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 risks associated with it. If any such relationships are adversely affected, or we are unable to form new relationships, or if any party fails to perform under its agreements or arrangements with us, our business, prospects, financial condition, liquidity 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.

For additional information, please see “Part 1—Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources” and Note [2(a)] and Note [31] to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this annual report.

Delays, cost overruns, cancellation or abandonment of the completion or release of films may have a material 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 laborlabour 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 partythird-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.


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

We have acquired 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 monetizing 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.

In addition, we typically only own certain rights for the monetization of content, which limits our ability to monetize content in certain media formats. In particular, we do not own the audio music rights to the majority of the films in our library and to certain new releases. See “Business — Our Business Description — 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 monetize 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.

Based on our agreements in effect as of March 31, 2018, 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, 202022% 20%
2021-202539% 16%
2026-203025% 6%
2031-20452% 1%
Perpetual(2)12% 57%

(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.

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. Any such assertions or claims may impact our rights to monetize 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.

We were historically and are currently, party to class action lawsuits in the U.S. and may be subject to similar or additional claims in the future, and an adverse ruling on any such future claims 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.

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. On May 17, 2016, the putative class actions filed in New Jersey were transferred to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York where they were subsequently consolidated with the other two actions. The Court-appointed lead plaintiffs filed a single consolidated complaint on July 14, 2016 and amended on October 10, 2016. The amended consolidated complaint alleged that the Company and certain individual defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), but did not assert certain claims that had been asserted in prior complaints. The remaining claims were primarily focused on whether the Company and individual defendants made material misrepresentations concerning the Company’s film library and materially misstated the usage and functionality of Eros Now, our digital OTT entertainment service. On September 25, 2017, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York entered a Memorandum and Order dismissing the putative class action with prejudice. On August 24, 2018, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued a summary order affirming the district court’s earlier dismissal, with prejudice.

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Beginning on June 21, 2019, the Company was named a defendant in three substantially similar putative class action lawsuits filed in federal court in California and New Jersey by purported shareholders of the Company. The lawsuits allege that the Company and certain individual defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by making false and/or misleading statements regarding the Company’s accounting for trade receivables. On September 27, 2019, the putative class action filed in California was transferred to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. On April 14, 2020, the three putative class actions were consolidated, and a lead plaintiff was appointed. On July 1, 2020, the court-appointed lead plaintiff filed a consolidated complaint. The consolidated complaint expands the scope of the allegations. The company expects to file a motion to dismiss, which is due August 28, 2020.

We have incurred, and will continue to incur, significant costs to defend our position in the above-mentioned class action lawsuits. We are unable to predict whether we will be subject to similar or additional claims in the future. If we become subject to class action lawsuits or any other related lawsuits or investigations or proceedings by regulators in the future, or if the current actions are not resolved in our favor, 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 and increased directors and officers liability insurance premiums and could have a material adverse effect upon our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and ability to access the capital markets.

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 have been, are currently and in the future may be, the target of anonymous letters sent to regulators or business associates or anonymous allegations posted on social media or circulated in short selling reports regarding our accounting practices, business practices and/or officers and directors. Every time we have received such allegations, we have undertaken what we believe to be a reasonably prudent review, including extensive due diligence to investigate the allegations, and where necessary our board of directors has engaged third-party professional firms to report directly to the Company’s Audit Committee. Having conducted these investigations, in each instance we found the allegations were without merit. However, the public dissemination of these allegations has adversely affected our reputation, business and the market price of our A Ordinary Shares and required us to spend significant management time and incur substantial costs to address them.

If anonymous allegations are made in the future, or if the current allegations continue, 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 and increased directors and officers liability insurance premiums and could have a material adverse effect upon our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and ability to access the capital markets.

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.

·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.

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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 comScore in the United Kingdom and the United States. We therefore rely on theater operators and our sub- distributorssub-distributors to report relevant information to us in an accurate and timely manner.

While 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.

We depend on our relationships with theater operators and other industry participants to monetize 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 monetization 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.

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Eros Now, our digital OTT entertainment service accessible via internet-enabled devices, may not achieve the desired growth rate.

Eros Now was soft launched in 2012 and as of March 31, 2018 we had over 1002020, Eros Now caters to 29.3 Million paying subscribers and has garnered 196.8 million registered users. As of March 31, 2018, we had 7.9 million paying subscribers.users across global digital distribution platforms. We must continue to grow and retain subscribers in India (one of our key markets) where they are currently used toconsumers also use traditional Pay-TV and broadcast 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 on the quality of data connectivity (either Wi-Fi, broadband, 3G or 4G mobile data) in India.

To achieve and sustain the desired growth rate from Eros Now, we must accomplish numerous objectives, including substantially increasing the number of paid subscribers to our service and retaining them, without which our revenues from digital stream 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;
our ability to secure and retain 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; and
·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 platforms worldwide;
·our ability to secure and retain 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; and
·any changes in the general economic conditions specific to the internet and the movie industry.

Eros Now faces and will continue to face competition for subscriber time.

We compete for the time and attention of our Eros Now subscribers with other content providers on the basis of a number of factors, including quality of experience, relevance, diversity of content, ease of use, price, accessibility, perception of advertising load, brand awareness, and reputation.

We compete with providers of on-demand Indian language entertainment, which is purchased or available for free and playable on mobile devices and in the home. We face increasing competition for subscribers from a growing variety of businesses, including other subscription services around the world, many of which offer services that deliver Indian entertainment content over the internet, through mobile phones, and through other wireless devices.

Many of our current or future competitors are already entrenched or may have significant brand recognition in a particular region or market in which we seek to penetrate.

We believe that companies with a combination of technical expertise, brand recognition, financial resources, and digital media experience also pose a significant threat of developing competing on-demand distribution technologies. In particular, if known incumbents in the digital media space such as Facebook choose to offer competing services, they may devote greater resources than we have available, have a more accelerated time frame for deployment, and leverage their existing user base and proprietary technologies to provide services that our subscribers and advertisers may view as superior. Furthermore, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hotstar and others have competing services, which may negatively impact our business, operating results and financial condition. Our current and future competitors may have higher brand recognition, more established relationships with talent and other content licensors and mobile device manufacturers, greater financial, technical, and other resources, more sophisticated technologies, and/or more experience in the markets in which we compete. In addition, Apple and Google also own application store platforms and are charging in-application purchase fees, which are not being levied on their own applications, thus creating a competitive advantage for themselves against us. As the market for on-demand music on the internet and mobile and connected devices increases, new competitors, business models, and solutions are likely to emerge.

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We also compete for subscribers based on our presence and visibility as compared with other businesses and platforms that deliver entertainment content through the movie industry.

internet and mobile devices. We face significant competition for subscribers from companies promoting their own digital content online or through application stores, including several large, well-funded and seasoned participants in the digital media market. Mobile device application stores often offer users the ability to browse applications by various criteria, such as the number of downloads in a given time period, the length of time since a mobile application was released or updated, or the category in which the application is placed. The websites and mobile applications of our competitors may rank higher than our website and our Eros Now mobile application, and our application may be difficult to locate in mobile device application stores, which could draw potential subscribers away from our platform and towards those of our competitors. If we are unable to compete successfully for subscribers against other digital media providers by maintaining and increasing our presence and visibility online, on mobile devices and in application stores, our number of subscribers and content streamed on our platform may fail to increase or may decline, and our subscription fees and advertising sales may suffer.

Our subscriber metrics and other estimates are subject to inherent challenges in measurement, and real or perceived inaccuracies in those metrics may seriously harm and negatively affect our reputation and our business.

We regularly review key metrics related to the operation of our business, including, but not limited to, our subscribers, KPIskey performance indicators and MAUs,monthly active users, to evaluate growth trends, measure our performance, and make strategic decisions. These metrics are calculated using internal company data as well as other sources. At times, data may not have been validated by an independent third party. While these numbers are based on what we believe to be reasonable estimates of our subscriber base for the applicable period of measurement, there are inherent challenges in measuring how our Serviceservice is used across large populations globally. For example, we believe that there are individuals who have multiple Eros Now accounts, which can result in an overstatement of KPIs.key performance indicators. Errors or inaccuracies in our metrics or data could result in incorrect business decisions and inefficiencies. For instance, if a significant understatement or overstatement of MAUsmonthly active users were to occur, we may expend resources to implement unnecessary business measures or fail to take required actions to attract a sufficient number of Usersusers to satisfy our growth strategies.

In addition, advertisers generally rely on third-party measurement services to calculate our metrics, and these third-party measurement services may not reflect our true audience. Some of our demographic data also may be incomplete or inaccurate because subscribers self-report their names and dates of birth. Consequently, the personal data we have may differ from our subscribers’ actual names and ages. If advertisers, partners, or investors do not perceive our subscriber, geographic, or other demographic metrics to be accurate representations of our subscribers base, or if we discover material inaccuracies in our subscriber, geographic, or other demographic metrics, our reputation may be seriously harmed.

Privacy concerns could limit our ability to collect and leverage our subscriber data and disclosure of membership data could adversely impact our business and reputation.

In the ordinary course of business and in particular in connection with content acquisition and delivering our service to our members, we collect and utilize data supplied by our subscribers. Other businesses have been criticized by privacy groups and governmental bodies for attempts to link personal identities and other information to data collected on the internet regarding users' browsing and other habits. Increased regulation of data utilization practices, including self-regulation or findings under existing laws that limit our ability to collect, transfer and use data, could have an adverse effect on our business. In addition, if we were to disclose data about our subscribers in a manner that was objectionable to them, our business reputation could be adversely affected, and we could face potential legal claims that could impact our operating results. Outside of India, we may become subject to additional and/or more stringent legal obligations concerning our treatment of customer and other personal information, such as laws regarding data localization and/or restrictions on data export. Failure to comply with these obligations could subject us to liability, and to the extent that we need to alter our business model or practices to adapt to these obligations, we could incur additional expenses.


Changes in how we market our service could adversely affect our marketing expenses and subscriber levels may be adversely affected.

We utilize a broad mix of marketing and public relations programs, including social media sites, to promote our service to potential new subscribers. We may limit or discontinue use or support of certain marketing sources or activities if advertising rates increase or if we become concerned that subscribers or potential subscribers deem certain marketing practices intrusive or damaging to our brand. If the available marketing channels are curtailed, our ability to attract new subscribers may be adversely affected. Companies that promote our service may decide that we negatively impact their business or may make business decisions that in turn negatively impact us. For example, if they decide that they want to compete more directly with us, enter a similar business or exclusively support our competitors, we may no longer have access to their marketing channels. If we are unable to maintain or replace our sources of subscribers with similarly effective sources, or if the cost of our existing sources increases, our subscriber levels and marketing expenses may be adversely affected.

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Privacy concerns could limit our ability to collect and leverage our subscriber data and disclosure of membership data could adversely impact our business and reputation.

In the ordinary course of business and in particular in connection with content acquisition and delivering our service to our members, we collect and utilize data supplied by our subscribers. Other businesses have been criticized by privacy groups and governmental bodies for attempts to link personal identities and other information to data collected on the internet regarding users’ browsing and other habits. Increased regulation of data utilization practices, including self-regulation or findings under existing laws that limit our ability to collect, transfer and use data, could have an adverse effect on our business. In addition, if we were to disclose data about our subscribers in a manner that was objectionable to them, our business reputation could be adversely affected, and we could face potential legal claims that could impact our operating results. Outside of India, we may become subject to additional and/or more stringent legal obligations concerning our treatment of customer and other personal information, such as laws regarding data localization and/or restrictions on data export. Failure to comply with these obligations could subject us to liability, and to the extent that we need to alter our business model or practices to adapt to these obligations, we could incur additional expenses.

Any significant disruption in our computer systems or those of third - parties that we utilize in our operations could result in a loss or degradation of service and could adversely impact our business.

 

Our reputation and ability to attract, retain and serve our subscribers is underpinned by the reliable performance and security of our computer systems and those of third parties that we work with. These systems may be subject to damage or interruption from many external factors including, inter alia: adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, power loss, telecommunications failures, and cybersecurity risks. Interruptions in these systems, or with the internet in general, could make our service unavailable or degraded or otherwise hinder our ability to deliver streaming content. Service interruptions, errors in our software or the unavailability of computer systems used in our operations could diminish the overall attractiveness of our membership service to existing and potential members.

We rely upon a number of partners to make our service available on their devices.

We currently offer subscribers the ability to receive streaming content through a host of internet-connected screens, including TVs, digital video players, television set-top boxes and mobile devices. We have agreements with various cable, satellite and mobile telecommunications operators to make our service available to subscribers. In many instances, our agreements also include provisions by which the partner bills consumers directly or otherwise offersoffer services or products in connection with offering our service. We intend to continue to broaden our relationships with existing partners and to increase our capability to stream content to other platforms and partners over time. If we are not successful in maintaining existing and creating new relationships, or if we encounter technological, content licensing, regulatory, business or other impediments to delivering our streaming content to our subscribers via these devices, our ability to retain subscribers and grow our business could be adversely impacted. Our agreements with our partners are typically multi-year in duration and our business could be adversely affected if, upon expiration, a number of our partners do not continue to provide access to our service or are unwilling to do so on terms acceptable to us, which terms may include the degree of accessibility and prominence of our service. Furthermore, devices are manufactured and sold by entities other than Eros Now and while these entities should be responsible for the devices'devices’ performance, the connection between these devices and Eros Now may nonetheless result in consumer dissatisfaction towardtowards Eros Now and such dissatisfaction could result in claims against us or otherwise adversely impact our business. In addition, technology changes to our streaming functionality may require that partners update their devices. If partners do not update or otherwise modify their devices, our service and our members'members’ use and enjoyment could be negatively impacted.

Changes in how network operators handle and charge for access to data that travel across their networks could adversely impact our business.

We rely upon the ability of subscribers to access our service through the internet. If network operators block, restrict or otherwise impair access to our service over their networks, our service and business could be negatively affected. To the extent that network operators implement usage-based pricing, including meaningful bandwidth caps, or otherwise try to monetize access to their networks by data providers, we could incur greater operating expenses and our membership acquisition and retention could be negatively impacted. Furthermore, to the extent network operators create tiers of internet access service and either charge us for or prohibit us from being available through these tiers, our business could be negatively impacted.

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We rely upon Amazon Web Servicesthird-party “cloud” computing services to operate certain aspects of our service and any disruption of or interference with our use of the Amazon Web Services operationthird-party “cloud” computing operations would impact our operations and our business would be adversely impacted.

Amazon Web Services (“AWS”)The third-party “cloud” computing service operator provides a distributed computing infrastructure platform for business operations, or what is commonly referred to as a "cloud"“cloud” computing service. We have architected our software and computer systems so as to utilize data processing, storage capabilities and other services provided by AWS.third-party “cloud” computing operator. Currently, we run a material amount of our computing on AWS.the third-party “cloud” computing services. Given this, along with the fact that we cannot easily switch our AWSthird-party “cloud” computing operations to another cloud provider, any disruption of or interference with our use of AWSthird-party “cloud” computing services would impact our operations and our business would be adversely impacted.


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 and 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 partythird-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 partythird-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.

Any significant disruption in or unauthorized access to our computer systems or those of third parties that we utilize in our operations, including those relating to cybersecurity or arising from cyber-attacks, could result in a loss or degradation of service, unauthorized disclosure of data, including member and corporate information, or theft of intellectual property, including digital content assets, which could adversely impact our business.

Our reputation and ability to attract, retain and serve our consumers is dependent upon the reliable performance and security of our computer systems and those of third parties that we utilize in our operations. These systems may be subject to damage or interruption from earthquakes, adverse weather conditions, other natural disasters, terrorist attacks, power loss, telecommunications failures, and cybersecurity risks. Interruptions or malfunctions (including those due to equipment damage, power outages, computer viruses and a range of other hardware, software and network problems) in these systems, or with the internet in general, could make our service unavailable or degraded or otherwise hinder our ability to deliver streaming content. Service interruptions, errors in our software or the unavailability of computer systems used in our operations could diminish the overall attractiveness of our service to existing and potential subscribers. Our computer systems and those of third parties we use in our operations are vulnerable to cybersecurity risks, including cyber-attacks, both from state-sponsored and individual activity, such as computer viruses, denial of service attacks, physical or electronic break-ins and similar disruptions. These systems periodically experience directed attacks intended to lead to interruptions and delays in our service and operations as well as loss, misuse or theft of data or intellectual property. Any attempt by hackers to obtain our data (including subscriber and corporate information) or intellectual property (including digital content assets), disrupt our service, or otherwise access our systems, or those of third parties we use, if successful, could harm our business, be expensive to remedy and damage our reputation.

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We have devoted and will continue to devote significant resources to the security of our computer systems; buthowever, we cannot guarantee that we will not experience such malfunctions, attacks or interruptions in the future. A significant or large-scale malfunction, attack or interruption of one or more of our computer or database systems could adversely affect our ability to keep our operations running efficiently. Our insurance does not cover expenses related to such disruptions or unauthorized access. Efforts to prevent hackers from disrupting our service or otherwise accessing our systems are expensive to implement and may limit the functionality of or otherwise negatively impact our service offering and systems. Any significant disruption to our service or access to our systems could result in a loss of subscribers and adversely affect our business and results of operation. We utilize our own communications and computer hardware systems located either in our facilities or in that of a third-party Webweb hosting provider. In addition, we utilize third-party “cloud” computing services in connection with our business operations. We also utilize our own and third-party content delivery networks to help us stream content in high volume to subscribers over the internet. Problems faced by us or our third-party Webweb hosting, “cloud” computing, or other network providers, including technological or business-related disruptions, as well as cybersecurity threats, could adversely impact the experience of our members.


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 withdrawing as well. 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 2018,2020, the GDP growth rate of India is projected to increase from 6.7%7.26% in 20172019 to approximately 7.4%7.49% in 20182020 and 7.8%7.43% in 2019.2021. The Central Statistics OfficeEconomic Survey 2019-20 has estimated that the growth rate in GDP for the year ended March 31, 2018 is 6.7%.

2020 to grow at 4.2% with headwinds of Covid19.

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 thea 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 thea 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.

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[India has recently experienced fluctuating wholesale price inflation compared to historical levels.still true] 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.

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Fluctuation in the value of the Indian Rupeerupee 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,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 Rupeerupee against foreign currency will continue to have an impact on our business. The Indian Rupeerupee experienced an approximately 8.3% decrease in value as compared to the U.S. dollar in Fiscal 2020. The Indian rupee experienced an approximately 5.9% decrease in value as compared to the U.S. dollar in Fiscal 2019. The Indian rupee experienced an approximately 0.4% decrease in value as compared to the U.S. dollar in fiscal year 2018. In the fiscal year 2017 it increased by 2.2%. Changes in the growth of the Indian economy and the continued volatility of the Indian Rupee,rupee, may adversely affect our business. As of March 31, 2018, Eros International Plc2020, we had debtan aggregate outstanding indebtedness of $70.05 million in relation to a£50.00 million retail bond offering in October 2014.$179.4 million. There can be no assurance, however, that currency fluctuations will not lead to an increase in the amount of this debt.

Further, at the endas of fiscal year 2018, $107.2March 31, 2020, $49.2 million, or 38.6%27.4% of our debt, was denominated in U.S. dollars, and wedollars. We may not generate sufficient revenue in U.S. dollars to service all of our U.S. dollar-denominated debt or the Notes.debt. Consequently, we may be required to use revenues generated in Indian Rupeesrupees to service our U.S. dollar-denominated debt or the Notes.debt. Any devaluation or depreciation in the value of the Indian Rupee,rupee, compared to the U.S. dollar, could adversely affect our ability to service our debt. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Exchange Rate” for further information.

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 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Exchange Rate” for further information.


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, mobile devices, the internet and sporting events such as the Indian Premier League for cricket. Technological advancements such as Video on Demand (VOD),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 occupancyattendance rates at theaters or demand for our other distribution channels will not fall.

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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 (“Disney”), 21st Century Fox, Sony Pictures Amazon,Entertainment Inc., Amazon.com, Inc. (“Amazon”) and Netflix, Inc. (“Netflix”), many of which are substantially larger and have greater financial resources, including competitors that own theaters and/or television networks and/or OTT platforms. 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 monetize 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.

We face and will continue to face competition for subscriber time.

We compete for the time and attention of our Eros Now subscribers with other content providers on the basis of a number of factors, including quality of experience, relevance, diversity of content, ease of use, price, accessibility, perception of advertising load, brand awareness, and reputation.

We compete with providers of on-demand Indian entertainment, which is purchased or available for free and playable on mobile devices and in the home. We face increasing competition for subscribers from a growing variety of businesses, including other subscription services around the world, many of which offer services that deliver Indian entertainment content over the internet, through mobile phones, and through other wireless devices. Many of our current or future competitors are already entrenched or may have significant brand recognition in a particular region or market in which we seek to penetrate.

We believe that companies with a combination of technical expertise, brand recognition, financial resources, and digital media experience also pose a significant threat of developing competing on-demand distribution technologies. In particular, if known incumbents in the digital media space such as Facebook choose to offer competing services, they may devote greater resources than we have available, have a more accelerated time frame for deployment, and leverage their existing user base and proprietary technologies to provide services that our subscribers and advertisers may view as superior. Furthermore, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hotstar and others have competing services, which may negatively impact our business, operating results, and financial condition. Our current and future competitors may have higher brand recognition, more established relationships with talent and other content licensors and mobile device manufacturers, greater financial, technical, and other resources, more sophisticated technologies, and/or more experience in the markets in which we compete. In addition, Apple and Google also own application store platforms and are charging in-application purchase fees, which are not being levied on their own applications, thus creating a competitive advantage for themselves against us. As the market for on-demand music on the internet and mobile and connected devices increases, new competitors, business models, and solutions are likely to emerge.

We also compete for subscribers based on our presence and visibility as compared with other businesses and platforms that deliver entertainment content through the internet and mobile devices. We face significant competition for subscribers from companies promoting their own digital content online or through application stores, including several large, well-funded, and seasoned participants in the digital media market. Mobile device application stores often offer users the ability to browse applications by various criteria, such as the number of downloads in a given time period, the length of time since a mobile application was released or updated, or the category in which the application is placed. The websites and mobile applications of our competitors may rank higher than our website and our Eros Now mobile application, and our application may be difficult to locate in mobile device application stores, which could draw potential subscribers away from our platform and toward those of our competitors. If we are unable to compete successfully for subscribers against other digital media providers by maintaining and increasing our presence and visibility online, on mobile devices, and in application stores, our number of subscribers and content streamed on our platform may fail to increase or may decline and our subscription fees and advertising sales may suffer.


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 qualityhigh-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 partythird-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.

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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 and to protect the entertainment products and services we create. 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 typically attempt to protect these intellectual property rights through available copyright and trademark laws and through a combination of employee, third-party assignments and nondisclosure agreements, other contractual restrictions, technological measures, and other methods. 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. Despite our efforts to protect our intellectual property rights and trade secrets, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of our song recommendation technology or other technology or obtain and use our trade secrets and other confidential information. Moreover, policing our intellectual property rights is difficult and time consuming. We cannot assure you that we would have adequate resources to protect and police our intellectual property rights, and we cannot assure you that the steps we take to do so will always be effective. 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. We could lose both the ability to assert our intellectual property rights against, or to license our technology to, others and the ability to collect royalties or other payments.

Litigation or proceedings before governmental authorities and administrative bodies may be necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our patent rights, trademarks, trade secrets, and domain names and to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. Our efforts to enforce or protect our proprietary rights may be ineffective and could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management time, each of which could substantially harm our operating results.

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, patents, 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 aserosplc.com, erosentertainment.com,erosnow.comand although our Indian subsidiaries currently own over 120 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 of America, 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.


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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.

Litigation or proceedings before governmental authorities and administrative bodies may be necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our patent rights, trademarks, trade secrets, and domain names and to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. Our efforts to enforce or protect our proprietary rights may be ineffective and could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management time, each of which could substantially harm our operating results.

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 anour 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 monetize digital and other emerging technologies, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

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

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

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

For first release film content, we use a stepped method of amortization and a first 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 the fiscal year 2014, and 40% of the capitalized cost for all other films, in the first 12 months of their initial commercial monetization, 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 the fiscal year 2014, and 20% of capitalized cost for all other films, is amortized in the initial quarter of their commercial monetization. In the fiscal year 2009 and the 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 judgment is involved 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 monetization, commonly referred to as library, amortization is spread evenly over the lesser of ten10 years after our acquisition or our license period. At least annually, we review film and content rights for indications of impairment in accordance with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 36: Impairment of Assets issued by IASB.

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. Because the amendment to IFRS 15 has not yet been implemented widely, we cannot yet predict how it will impact our current and new stream of 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 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for further information.

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

When we ceaseWe ceased to qualify as an “emerging growth company” under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 or the JOBS Act, at the end of fiscalon March 31, 2019, and as a result, we will becomeare subject to additional requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or the SOx Act,(the “SOX Act”), including Section 404(b) of the SOxSOX Act which will requirerequires our independent registered public accounting firm to attest to and report on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. However, because we qualify asreporting in our annual reports on Form 20-F, starting from annual report for Fiscal Year 2019. As discussed in Item 15. “Controls and Procedures,” upon an “emerging growth company” underevaluation of the JOBS Act, these attestation requirements do not apply to us until we lose this status, i.e, ateffectiveness of the enddesign and operation of fiscal 2019 on onwards. Our management may conclude in future years, that our internal controls, are not effective. Moreover, even if our management concludeswe concluded that there were material weaknesses such 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 whichneed to be reviewed and updated, a process that we are necessary for uscurrently undertaking.. Although we have instituted remedial measures to produce reliable financial reportsaddress the material weakness identified and are importantwill continually review and evaluate our internal control systems to help prevent fraud. As a result,allow management to report on the sufficiency of our failureinternal controls, we cannot assure you that we will be able to achieve and maintain effectiveadequately remediate all the existing material weaknesses or not discover additional weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting need to be reviewed and certifyupdated, a process that we are currently undertaking. Further, management continually improves, simplifies and rationalizes the same in a timely manner,Company’s internal control framework where possible within the constraints of existing IT systems. However, any additional weaknesses or failure to adequately remediate the existing weakness could result in the loss of investor confidence in the reliability ofmaterially and adversely affect our financial statements, which in turn could harm our business and negatively impact the market pricecondition or results of our A ordinary shares.

operations.

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.recognised. The timing and size of such licenses subjects our revenue to uncertainties and variability from period to period, which could adversely affect our operating results. We expect that we will continue to enter into licenses with customers that may represent a significant concentration of our revenues for the applicable period and we cannot guarantee that these revenues will recur.

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

We have entered, and may continue to enter, into transactions with related parties. We also rely on the Founders Group, which consists of Beech Investments Limited and 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 favorablefavourable terms had such transactions been entered into with unrelated parties. If future transactions with related parties are not entered into on an arm’s-length basis, our business may be materially harmed.


Further, because certain members of the Founders Group are controlling shareholders of, or have significant influence on, both us and our related parties, conflicts of interest may arise in relation to dealings between us and our related parties and may not be resolved in our favor. For further information, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

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

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

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

·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.

Eros India has entered into shareholder agreements with third partythird-party shareholders of its non-wholly-ownednon-wholly owned subsidiaries, including Big Screen Entertainment Private Limited and have signed a binding term sheet for a joint venture with Colour Yellow Productions Private Limited. See “Business” for further information. These agreementsarrangements 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 Private Limited, 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 Private Limited, Colour Yellow Productions Private Limited and from fiscal 2019 Reliance Industries Ltd and Mr. V. Vijayendra Prasad, 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 Private Limited, and 50% of the shareholding of Colour Yellow Productions Private Limited, 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.

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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. 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 the Isle of Man, India or the United Kingdom, whose laws govern these agreements or where our members of senior management reside. Even if enforceable, these non-competition and non-solicitation provisions are for limited time periods.


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.

We are currently migratingcompleting the integration of various supporting modules to an SAP ERP operating 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 have completed the accounting portion of the migration in India and significant locations outside India, and 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 incompleting the rest of the world and the implementation has been delayed.

Alsomigration. For instance, we have not yet integrated supporting modules into the SAP ERP system, such as a module to manage our film library.library across the globe. 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.

Negative media coverage could adversely affect our business.business and some viewers or civil society organizations may find our film content objectionable.

We receive a high degree of media coverage around the world. UnfavorableUnfavourable publicity regarding, for example, payments to talent, third partythird-party content providers, publishers, artists, and other copyright owners, our privacy practices, terms of service, service changes, service quality, litigation or regulatory activity, government surveillance, the actions of our advertisers, the actions of our developers, the use of our OTT platform for illicit, objectionable, or illegal ends, the actions of our subscribers, the quality and integrity of content shared on our OTT platform, or the actions of other companies that provide similar services to us, could materially adversely affect our reputation. Such negative publicity also could have an adverse effect on the size, engagement, and loyalty of our subscriber base and result in decreased revenue, which could materially adversely affect our business, operating results 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.

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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,(“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, China 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 monetization of the film. Any modification could result in substantial costs and and/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 civil and criminal proceedings in India. We are alsoAs of March 31, 2020, we were subject to certain tax proceedings in India, including service tax claims aggregating to approximately $61$56 million, value added tax (“VAT”) and sales tax claims aggregating to approximately $3 million as of March 31, 2018 for the period between fiscal year 2010April 1, 2005 to fiscal year 2017. 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.March 31, 2015. 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. See “Business Overview— Litigation” for further details.


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.

TaxesPreviously, taxes generally arewere levied on a state-by-state basis for the Indian film industry. Recently, thereHowever, with effect from July 1, 2017, goods and services tax (“GST”) was implemented in India, which combines taxes and levies by the Government of India and state governments into a unified rate structure, and replaces indirect taxes on goods and services such as central excise duty, service tax, central sales tax, entertainment tax, state value added tax, cess and surcharge and excise that were being collected by the Government of India and state governments. Initially, under the GST regime, movie exhibition fell under the highest tax bracket of 28% (for tickets above 100 rupee). However, with effect from January 1, 2019, the GST rate has been interestreduced to 12% for tickets under 100 rupee and 18% for tickets above 100 rupees. Further, under the state-by-state tax regime in rationalizingIndia, the industry’s taxes by instituting a uniform setstate governments were levying entertainment tax on the exhibition of films in cinemas, including multiplexes. With the implementation of GST, the entertainment taxes administeredtax levied by the Indian government. Such changes may increase our tax rate, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, instate governments was subsumed under GST. However, certain states, theater multiplexes have enjoyedlocal government bodies levy local body entertainment tax, benefits thatin addition to GST, within their state. Any future increases or amendments may be disrupted or discontinued ifaffect the overall tax efficiency of companies operating in India moves to a uniform entertainment tax system. This could slow the construction of new multiplexes, and may impact single screen theatersresult in tier 2 and tier 3 cities converting their 1,000 seater theaters into multiplexessignificant additional taxes becoming payable. If, as a result of a particular tax risk materializing, the tax costs associated with 2 or 3 screens with seating capacitycertain transactions are greater than anticipated, it could affect the profitability of 300 seats or less, which we believe is a key driver for domestic theatrical revenue growth. such transactions.

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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 which may have an impact on our business, results of operations and prospects, to the extent that we are unable to suitably respond to and comply with any such changes in applicable law and policy include the following:

·

Under the (Indian) Income-tax Act, 1961 (“IT Act”), the General Anti Avoidance Rules (“GAAR”) have come into effect from April 1, 2017. The tax consequences of the GAAR provisions if applied to an arrangement could result in denial of tax benefit under the domestic tax laws and / or under a tax treaty, amongst other consequences.

As per the Finance Act 2020, Dividend Distribution Tax (‘DDT’) of 20.56 percent levied on the companies declaring dividend has been abolished with effect from April 1, 2020. Consequently, dividend is taxable in the hands of recipient and there shall be withholding of taxes on such dividends.

 

The General Anti Avoidance Rules (“GAAR”) have come into effect for fiscal year 2018. The tax consequences of the GAAR provisions being applied to an arrangement could result in denial of tax benefit under the domestic tax laws as well as under a tax treaty, amongst other consequences. In the absence of any precedents on the subject, the application of these provisions is uncertain.
The Government of India, effective July 1, 2017 implemented comprehensive national Goods and Services Tax (“GST”) that subsumes all existing indirect taxes (such as Excise Duty, Service Tax, Countervailing Duty (CVD), Value Added Tax (VAT), Entertainment Tax at State level, Entry Tax ), and levies only one tax (GST) on value additions at national level. GST was introduced by an amendment to the Constitution of India, the Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act 2016, which grants enabling powers to central and state government to make laws relating to GST. While the Government of India and certain state governments have announced that all committed incentives will be protected following the implementation of the GST, given the limited availability of information in the public domain concerning the GST, we cannot provide any assurance as to this or any other aspect of the tax regime following implementation of the GST. Any future increases or amendments may affect the overall tax efficiency of companies operating in India and may result in significant additional taxes becoming payable. If, as a result of a particular tax risk materializing, the tax costs associated with certain transactions are greater than anticipated, it could affect the profitability of such transactions.
GST is also expected to provide overall tax efficiencies for our business due to factors such as reduction in effective tax rate, seamless flow of credit, simplified tax structure, abolishment of inter-state barriers, and reduction in cascading effect of taxes. Further, it is anticipated that, zero rated exports will enhance international competitiveness and that uniform tax rates will make GST neutral to geographical locations within India. However, we cannot provide any assurance as to benefits that GST may provide or any other aspect of the tax regime.
The Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released the final package of all Action Plans of the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project in October 2015. India is a member of G20 and active participant in the BEPS project. The BEPS project lead to a series of measures being developed across several actions such as the digital economy, treaty abuse, design of Controlled Foreign Company Rules, intangibles, country-by-country reporting, preventing artificial avoidance of PE status, improving dispute resolution etc. Several of these measures required implementation through changes in domestic law. As regards those measures which required implementation through changes to bilateral treaties, it was felt that a Multilateral Convention (MLI) that modified the existing bilateral treaty network would be preferable as it would ensure speed and consistency in implementation. Accordingly, MLI was introduced to incorporate treaty related measures identified as part of the final BEPS measures in relation to:

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·NeutralisingAs per the effectsprovisions of hybrid mismatch arrangements;the IT Act, income arising directly or indirectly through transfer of a capital asset, being 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. Value shall be substantially derived from assets located in India, if, on the specified date, the value of such assets located in India (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.

·The Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development released the final package of all Action Plans of the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (“BEPS”) project in October 2015. India is a member of G20 and active participant in the BEPS project. The BEPS project lead to a series of measures being developed across several actions such as the digital economy, treaty abuse, design of Controlled Foreign Company Rules, intangibles, country-by-country reporting, preventing artificial avoidance of PE status, improving dispute resolution etc. Several of these measures required implementation through changes in domestic law. As regards those measures which required implementation through changes to bilateral treaties, it was felt that a Multilateral Instrument (“MLI”) to modify the existing bilateral treaty network would be preferable as it would ensure speed and consistency in implementation. Accordingly, MLI was introduced to inter-alia incorporate treaty related measures identified as part of the final BEPS measures in relation to:

·Preventing the granting of treaty benefits in inappropriate circumstances;

·Preventing the artificial avoidance of Permanent Establishment status;permanent establishment status (“PE”); and

·Making dispute resolution mechanisms more effective.

 

India signed the MLI to implement tax treaty related measures to prevent BEPS on June 7, 2017. TheOn June 25, 2019, India has deposited the instrument of ratification for MLI with OECD along with a list of reservations and notifications. As a result, MLI will operate to modifyenter into force for India on October 1, 2019 and its provisions will have effect on India’s tax treaties from financial year 2020-21 onwards where the other country has also deposited its instrument of ratification with OECD. The interplay between GAAR (under the IT Act) and the modification of the existing tax treaties entered into between various countries.by way of the MLI remains to be seen.

 

·An equalization levy or EL,(“EL”) in respect of certain 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 Indian Rupeesrupees 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.notified by the Indian government. Deduction of EL at the rate of six percent (on a gross basis) is the responsibility of Indian residents or 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.such non-resident.

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·

Further, the Finance Act, 2020, has expanded the scope of EL by covering e-commerce transactions. E - commerce supply or services include online sale of goods, online provision of services or both owned or provided by an E-commerce operator. However, EL shall not be charged in case sales, turnover or gross receipts of the E-commerce operator is less than INR 20 million.

Discharge of EL at the rate of two percent (on a gross basis) is the responsibility of E – commerce operator receiving consideration on the supply or services made to Indian residents, non-residents in “specified circumstances” or any other person using IP address located in India. However, any service or supply made by the E – commerce operator which is in connection to their PE in India will not be liable for EL,. If a non-resident (not having a PE in India) earns income which is chargeable to EL, then the same would be exempt in the hands of such non-resident.

Currently, consideration for the sale, distribution or exhibition of cinematographic films is specifically excluded from the definition of Royalty. However, as per Finance Act 2020, the definition of Royalty will be rationalized to include consideration for the sale, distribution or exhibition of cinematographic films (w.e.f. April 1, 2021).

·The concept of Place of Effective Management (POEM)(“POEM”) was introduced for the purpose of determining tax residence of foreign companies in India, effective April 1, 2016. The POEM is defined as the 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. One ofIn the key consequence if in caseevent the POEM of a foreign company is considered to be situated in India, and consequently, such company becomes tax resident in India is that the company’sand consequently its global income would be taxable in India (even if it is not earned in India).

 

·Based on the report of OECD on BEPS Action Plan 1, an amendment was made vide Finance Act 2018 whereby concept of significant economic presence (“SEP”) was introduced under the Indian domestic tax law to cover within the tax ambit transactions in digitized businesses. Significant economic presence shall be constituted in cases where:

·Transaction in respect of any goods, services or property are carried out by a non-resident in India (including provision of download of data or software in India);

·Non-residents engage in systematic and continuous soliciting of business activities or engaging in interaction with users, in India through digital means;

if certain prescribed thresholds are breached.

Further, if SEP is constituted, attribution shall be restricted to such aforesaid transactions and/or business activities/users in India.

The threshold of payments received and number of users (mentioned in the aforesaid conditions) shall be prescribed by the Central Board of Direct Taxes in due course after which one will be able to gauge the impact of this expansion in the provision.

In addition, unless corresponding modifications to PE rules are made in tax treaties, the existing treaty rules will apply. Accordingly, the above provisions would need to be separately evaluated under the tax treaty scenario.

Further, as per Finance Act, 2020, it is pertinent to note that SEP provisions have been deferred by a year and shall be effective from April 1, 2021.

·The definition of “business connection” was expanded vide Finance Act 2018. Earlier if non-residents carried on business in India through an agent and such an agent had an authority to conclude contracts on behalf of the non-residents, business connection was constituted. After the amendment, business connection will be constituted even if the agent plays a principal role in conclusion of the contracts by the non-residents. The contracts referred herein should be –

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·in the name of the non-resident; or

·for the transfer of the ownership of, or for the granting of the right to use, property owned by that non-resident or that non-resident has the right to use; or

·for the provision of services by the non-resident.

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

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, if, 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.

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 asshares of JulyEros India is pledged to secure indebtedness incurred by Eros India.  To the extent that Eros India is unable to service such indebtedness, or otherwise defaults on its obligations under such indebtedness, the lenders of such indebtedness may exercise certain remedies over such shares, including foreclosing on such shares and selling such shares. As of June 30, 20182020, we owned approximately 60.06%62.31% of Eros India. Over time, we may lose control over its activities and, consequently, lose our ability to consolidate its revenues.

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Dividend distributions by our subsidiaries are subject to certain limitations under local laws, including Indian and DubaiUAE law (including laws of Dubai) 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, are subject to certain limitations under local laws.laws and restrictive covenants of their borrowing arrangements. 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. Dubaithe profits of the company for that year or out of the profits for any previous financial year after providing for depreciation. UAE law imposes similar limitations on dividend payments. AnAs per the Finance Act 2020, Dividend Distribution Tax (‘DDT’) of 20.56 percent levied on the Indian company paying dividendscompanies declaring dividend has been abolished with effect from April 1, 2020. Consequently, dividend is also liable to pay dividend distribution tax at an effective ratetaxable in the hands of 20.56% including cessrecipient and surcharge.

there shall be withholding of taxes on such dividends.

The Relationship Agreement with our subsidiaries may not reflect market standard terms that would have resulted from arm’s lengtharm’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 was last renewed with the execution of the 2016 Relationship Agreement between Eros India, Eros Worldwide and us (“Relationship Agreement”). The Relationship Agreement, exclusively assigns to Eros Worldwide, certain intellectual property rights and all distribution rights (including global digital distribution rights) for films (other than Tamil films), held by Eros India orand any of its subsidiarysubsidiaries (the “Eros India Group”), in all territories other than India, Nepal, and Bhutan. In return, Eros Worldwide provides a lump sum minimum guaranteed fee to the Eros India Group in a fixed payment equal to 40% 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 20% thereon as markup. We refer to these payments collectively as the Minimum Guaranteed Fee.minimum guaranteed fee. Eros Worldwide is also required to reimburse the Eros India Group pre-approved distribution expenses in connection with such film, plus an amount equal to 20% thereon as markup (“distribution expenses”).markup. In addition, 15% of the gross proceeds received by the Eros International Group from monetization of such films, after certain amounts are retained by the Eros International Group, are payable over to the Eros India Group.

The Relationship Agreement may not reflect terms that would have resulted from arm’s lengtharm’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 favorablefavourable in future negotiations with unaffiliated third parties. Further, as Eros does not have complete control 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, 2018,2020, we had $278.2$179.4 million of borrowings outstanding of which $152.3$117.1 million is repayable within one year. We may also incur substantial additional indebtedness. Our indebtedness could have important consequences, including the following:

·we could have difficulty satisfying our interest commitments, debt obligations, and if we fail to comply with these requirements, an event of default could result;

 

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;
·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;

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lenders are able to require us to repay their secured loans to each of Eros India and Eros International Limited prior to their maturity, which as of March 31, 2018, represented $105.5 million of the outstanding indebtedness of Eros India and $16.6 million of the outstanding indebtedness of Eros International Limited. Further in the event we decide to repay certain lenders of Eros India, we will be required to obtain their prior approval and/or prior notice of up to 30 days and this may also involve levy of prepayment charges of up to 2%;
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, 2018, loan agreements amounting to $64.2 million 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.
·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;

 

·each of Eros India and Eros International Limited may be required to repay the secured loans prior to their maturity, which as of March 31, 2020, represented $71.9 million of the outstanding indebtedness of Eros India and $22.1 million of the outstanding indebtedness of Eros International Limited. Further, in the event we decide to prepay certain lenders of Eros India, we will be required to obtain their prior approval and/or prior notice of up to 30 days and this may also involve levy of prepayment charges of up to 2%;

·certain Eros India loans are subject to annual renewal, and until these renewals are obtained, the lenders under these loans may at any time require repayment of amounts outstanding. As at March 31, 2020, short-term loans amounting to $5.75 million were pending annual renewal and the Group expects the renewal to complete in due course;

·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.

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,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 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. For additional information, please see [Note 2(b) and Note 31] to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this annual report.

Downgrade in our credit ratings could increase our future borrowing costs and adversely affect the availability of new financing.

There can be no assurance that any of our credit ratings will remain unchanged for any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered if, in that rating agency’s judgment, future circumstances relating to the basis of the rating so warrant. If, among other things, we are unable to maintain our outstanding debt and financial ratios at levels acceptable to the credit rating agencies, if we default on any indebtedness or if our business prospects or financial results deteriorate, our ratings could be downgraded by the rating agencies. Our credit ratings have been subject to change over time, including a downgrade in June 2019 (See Note [2(b)] of our audited consolidated financial statements). We cannot make assurances regarding how long these ratings will remain unchanged or regarding the outcome of the rating agencies future reviews of new or existing indebtedness. Such downgrade by the rating agencies could adversely affect the value of our outstanding securities, our existing debt and our ability to obtain new financing on favorable terms, if at all, and increase our borrowing costs, any of which could have a material adverse effect on business, financial condition and our results of operations.

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

Our existing credit facilities as well as the Notesnotes 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.

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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, 2018,2020, and assuming no additional borrowings or principal payments on our credit facilities, Notes and the UK Retail Bond and the Senior Convertible Notes (as defined below) until their maturities, we would need approximately $152.3$117.1 million over the next year, and $125.8$62.3 million over the next fivethree years, to meet our principal 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 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.
·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 favorablefavourable 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.


Our trade accounts receivables were $225.0$101.7 million as at March 31, 2018, $226.8 million as of March 31, 2017 and $169.3 million as at March 31, 2016.2020. If the cash flow, working capital, financial condition or results of operations of our customers deteriorate, they may be unable, or they may otherwise be unwilling, to pay trade account receivables owed to us promptly or at all. In addition, from time to time, we have significant concentrations of credit risk in relation to our trade account receivables as a result of individual theatrical releases, television syndication deals or music licenses. Although we use contractual terms to stagger receipts, de-recognition of financial assets and/or the release or airing of content, as of March 31, 2018, 20.5%2020, 40.1% of our trade account receivables were represented by our top five debtors, compared to 25.1%20.4% as of March 31, 2017.2019. Any substantial defaults or delays by our customers could materially and adversely affect our cash flows, and we could be required to terminate our relationships with customers, which could adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

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 57.9%71.1% of our fiscal year 2018 net revenue in Fiscal Year 2020 from the monetization 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 monetized 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 18-24 months from the date of the contract creating a mismatch in revenue and cash received.

We are currently growing our presence in the processChina through theatrical and distribution of entering the China market.our films. If we are unsuccessful in the production, distribution and monetization 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. Several countries around the world impose restrictions on the amount and nature of content that may be distributed in that country. For instance, China has imposed an annual limit on the number of foreign films, as selected by relevant authorities in China, that may be distributed annually on a revenue share basis as determined by box office performance. In addition, in September 2018, China’s film and television regulator, the National Administration of TV and Radio, published proposed regulations that would severely limit the streaming and broadcasting of foreign film and television content in China, further reducing foreign access to the Chinese market.

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

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

·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;
·higher past due debtor days 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, divert management'smanagement’s attention and otherwise disrupt our operations and harm our operating results. We may fail to acquire companies whose market power or technology could be important to the future success of our business.

We evaluate potential acquisitions of complementary businesses on an ongoing basis and may from time to time pursue acquisition opportunities. We may in the future seek to acquire or invest in other companies or technologies that we believe could complement or expand our services, enhance our technical capabilities, or otherwise offer growth opportunities. Pursuit of future potential acquisitions may divert the attention of management and cause us to incur various expenses in identifying, investigating, and pursuing suitable acquisitions, whether or not they are consummated. We may not be successful in identifying acquisition opportunities, assessing the value, strengths and weaknesses of these opportunities or consummating acquisitions on acceptable terms. In addition, we have limited experience acquiring and integrating other businesses. We may be unsuccessful in integrating our recently acquired businesses or any additional business we may acquire in the future, and we may fail to acquire companies whose market power or technology could be important to the future success of our business. Future acquisitions may result in near termnear-term dilution toof earnings, including potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities or issuances of debt. For instance, in fiscal year 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, including costs or liabilities arising from the acquired companies' failure to comply with intellectual property laws and licensing obligations they are subject to;
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;
·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, including costs or liabilities arising from the acquired companies’ failure to comply with intellectual property laws and licensing obligations they are subject to;
·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;
·failing to retain key personnel of, vendors to and clients of the acquired businesses;
 ·harm to our existing business relationships with business partners and advertisers as a result of the acquisition;
 ·harm to our brand and reputation; and
 ·use of resources that are needed in other parts of our business.

In addition, a significant portion of the purchase price of companies we acquire may be allocated to acquired goodwill, which must be assessed for impairment at least annually. In the future, if our acquisitions do not yield expected returns, we may be required to take charges to our operating results based on this impairment assessment process. Acquisitions also could result in dilutive issuances of equity securities or the incurrence of debt, which could adversely affect our operating results. In addition, if an acquired business fails to meet our expectations, our operating results, business and financial condition may suffer.


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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,Ordinary Shares, the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities or amortization expenses, or write-offs of goodwill, any of which could harm our financial condition.

We may require additional capital to support business growth and objectives, and this capital might not be available on acceptable terms, if at all.

We intend to continue to make investments to support our business growth and may require additional funds to respond to business challenges, including the need to develop new features or enhance our existing services, expand into additional markets around the world, improve our infrastructure, or acquire complementary businesses and technologies. Accordingly, we may need to engage, and have engaged, in equity and debt financings to secure additional funds. If we raise additional funds through future issuances of equity or convertible debt securities, our existing shareholders could suffer additional significant dilution, and any new equity securities we issue could have rights, preferences, and privileges superior to those of holders of our ordinary shares.Ordinary Shares. Any debt financing we secure in the future, including pursuant to the unwind described above, also could contain restrictive covenants relating to our capital raising activities and other financial and operational matters, which may make it more difficult for us to obtain additional capital and pursue business opportunities, including potential acquisitions. We may not be able to obtain additional financing on terms favorablefavourable to us, if at all. If we are unable to obtain adequate financing or financing on terms satisfactory to us when we require it, our ability to continue to support our business growth, acquire or retain consumers and subscribers, and to respond to business challenges could be significantly impaired, and our business may be harmed.

Risks Related to our A Ordinary Shares

 

Our A ordinary share price has been and 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 Stock Exchange (“AIM”) since 2006 and our ‘A’ ordinary shares have been traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) since our initial public offering.offering in 2013. 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 ended May 31, 2018,June 30, 2020, was $39.01 per share and the lowest price was $5.59$1.10 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;
·additions or departures of our executive officers;
·trading volume of our A ordinary shares;
·sales of our ordinary shares by us or our shareholders; or
·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.performance.

 

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.

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In addition, some companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock have been subject to securities class action litigation. A putative securities class action filed in November 2015 has now been pending against Eros and certain of its officers since November 2015. Althoughdismissed with prejudice, but on June 21, 2019, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York dismissed thisCompany was named a defendant in two substantially similar putative class action with prejudice on September 25, 2017,lawsuits filed in federal court in New Jersey by purported shareholders of the class action plaintiffs are pursuing an appeal before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.Company. 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.


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 July 30, 2018,27, 2020, the Founders Group collectively owns 38.6%13.4% of our issued share capital in the form of 16,834,0662,018,189 A ordinary shares, representing 10.8%1.3% of the voting power of our outstanding ordinary shares, and 9,712,71521,700,418 B ordinary shares, representing all of our B ordinary shares and 62.2%60.0% 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.approval.

 

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.”expenses. 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.”

 

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 currently 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 currently anticipate that we will lose our “emerging growth company” status as of the end of fiscal 2019. We cannot predict if investors will find our A ordinary shares less attractive if we choose to rely on these exemptions. If someinvestors 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.

 

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.

 

JudgementsJudgments 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 unfavorableunfavourable or inaccurate research about our business, our share price and trading volume could decline.

 

The trading market for our A 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 A 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 A ordinary shares or publish inaccurate or unfavorableunfavourable research about our business, our share price would likely decline. We have experienced such downgrade from two of our analysts in fiscal year 2016 during the period of anonymous short seller attacks 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 A ordinary shares could decrease, which might cause our share price and trading volume to decline.

 

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.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, 2018,2020, 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 previous 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 recognizedrecognised 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.

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If the fair market value of our ordinary shares fluctuates unpredictably and significantly on a quarterly basis, the social costs we accrue for share-based compensation may fluctuate unpredictably and significantly, which could result in our failing to meet our expectations or investor expectations for quarterly financial performance. This could negatively impact investor sentiment for the Company, and as a result, adversely impact the price of our ordinary shares.

 

Social costs are payroll taxes associated with employee salaries and benefits, including share-based compensation that we are subject to in various countries in which we operate.

 

When the fair market value of our ordinary shares increases on a quarter to quarter basis, the accrued expense for social costs will increase, and when the fair market value of ordinary shares falls, the accrued expense will become a reduction in social costs expense, all other things being equal, including the number of vested stock options and exercise price remains constant. The trading price of our A ordinary share price can be highly volatile. See “—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.” As a result, the accrued expense for social costs may fluctuate unpredictably and significantly, from quarter to quarter, which could result in our failing to meet our expectations or investor expectations for quarterly financial performance. This could negatively impact investor sentiment for the company, and as a result, the price for our ordinary shares.


Failure to comply with anti-bribery, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws could subject us to penalties and other adverse consequences.

We are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (“FCPA”), the U.K. Bribery Act of 2010, as amended (the “U.K. Bribery Act”) and other anti-bribery, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws in various jurisdictions around the world. The FCPA, the U.K. Bribery Act and similar applicable laws generally prohibit companies, as well as their officers, directors, employees and third-party intermediaries, business partners and agents, from making improper payments or providing other improper things of value to government officials or other persons. We and our third-party intermediaries may have direct or indirect interactions with officials and employees of government agencies or state owned or affiliated entities and other third parties where we may be held liable for corrupt or other illegal activities, even if we do not explicitly authorize them. While we have policies and procedures and internal controls to address compliance with such laws, we cannot assure you that all of our employees and third-party intermediaries, business partners and agents will not take actions in violation of such policies and laws, for which we may be ultimately held responsible. To the extent that we learn that any of our employees or third-party intermediaries, business partners or agents do not adhere to our policies, procedures or internal controls, we are committed to taking appropriate remedial action. In the event that we believe or have reason to believe that our directors, officers, employees or third-party intermediaries, agents or business partners have or may have violated such laws, we may be required to investigate or to have outside counsel investigate the relevant facts and circumstances. Detecting, investigating and resolving actual or alleged violations can be extensive and require a significant diversion of time, resources and attention from senior management. Any violation of the FCPA, the U.K. Bribery Act or other applicable anti-bribery, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws could result in whistleblower complaints, adverse media coverage, investigations, loss of export privileges, and criminal or civil sanctions, penalties and fines, any of which may could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

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 Isle of Man, Companies Act 2006 (as amended) commonly referred to as the 2006 Act. We maintain our registered office at First Names House, Victoria Road, Douglas, Isle of Man IM2 4DF, British Isles, our principal executive office in the U.S.A is at 550 County Avenue, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094; and our telephone number is +1(201) 558-9001. We maintain a website atwww.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 2018, 2017, and 2016 were $186.8 million, $173.5 million, and $211.3 million respectively.2020 was $265.3 million. 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 20192021 to be approximately $200-$250in the range of $150 - $160 million, a significant amount of which we expect to be used for the acquisition of further intangible film rights and related content.

 

B. Business Overview

 

Eros International Plc isWe are a leading global company in the Indian film entertainment industry whichthat co-produces, acquires and distributes Indian language films in multiple formats worldwide. The Company was foundedworldwide, and operate the largest Indian-content OTT entertainment service network, Eros Now. Founded in 1977, and iswe are one of the oldest companies in the Indian film industry to focus on international market.markets. Our A Ordinary Shares are listed on the NYSE; symbol “EROS”. We believe we are pioneers in our business. Our success is built on the relationships we have cultivated over the pastmore than 40 years with leading talent, production companies, exhibitors and other key participants in our industry. By leveraging these relationships, weWe have aggregated multi-format rights to over 3,000 films in our library, including recent and classic titles that span different genres, budgets and languages.

Eros Now – the Largest Indian-Content OTT Network

We believe Eros Now has the largest Indian language movie content library worldwide with over 12,000 digital titles, out of which approximately 5,000 films are owned in perpetuity. Eros Now also has a deep library of short-form content, including music videos, trailers, original shorts exclusive interviews and marketing shorts. During fiscal year 2020 Eros Now digitally released a total of 630 films in 12 different Indian languages. Over the same period over 8,000 music audio and video files were released on Eros Now as well as over 500 units of short form and Eros Now Originals & Quickie content. Since inception, we have digitally premiered (first ever digital release) over 250 films on the Eros Now platform, and also introduced the concept of theatrical films launching on OTT prior to its satellite premiere, which is a testament to the strength of our platform and breadth and depth of our offering. As of March 31, 2020, Eros Now achieved over 196.8 million registered users across Apps, WAPs and the Eros Now website, and 29.3 million paying subscribers. Eros Now has seen a significant surge across matrices wherein engagement has risen 70%- 100% across daily viewers, time spent and repeat visits in a pre- lockdown to during lock down phase.

Having established over many partnerships and strategic collaborations globally with telecommunications operators, OEMs and streaming services providers, Eros Now is available globally through multiple distribution channels. These partnerships and strategic collaborations include our recent agreement with Apple to make Eros Now content available on all Apple devices in multiple countries outside of India, making Eros Now the first Indian OTT provider collaborating with Apple on such a scale.

Our Distribution Channels

In fiscal year 2020, we released a total of 30 films, including two medium budget films and twenty-eight low budget films. In the fiscal year 2019, we released a total of 72 films, including seven medium budget films and sixty-five low budget films.

We have a multi-platform business model and derive revenues from the following three distribution channels:

·Theatrical: The theatrical channel largely includes revenues from multiplex chains, single screen theaters, distributors and content aggregators in case of dubbed and/or subtitled versions. We are a leading player in a growing and under-penetrated cinema market with a consisent and leading box office market share. Based on gross collections reported by comScore, our market share as an average over the preceding eight calendar years to 2018 is 24% of all theatrically released Indian language films in the United Kingdom and the United States.

·Television Syndication: We de-risk our theatrical revenues while enhancing revenue predictability through pre-sales and television syndication which includes satellite television broadcasting, cable television and terrestrial television which are facilitated by our long-standing Eros brand, reputation and industry relationships. We license Indian film content (usually a combination of new releases and existing films in our library) over a stated period of time in exchange for a license fee, where payment terms may extend up to 2-3 years in some cases. We currently have television syndication content agreements in place with over 30 international broadcasters in the U.S., Asia, Europe and the Middle East, and includes long-term television syndication agreements with broadcast companies such as Viacom 18 Media in India, SABC in South Africa, E Vision in the UAE and Tanzania TV, among others.

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·Digital and ancillary: 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 films and other content primarily in IPTV, VOD (including SVOD and DTH) and online internet channels. This enables us to prolong the lifecycle of our films and film library. A significant portion of the Indian and international population are moving towards adoption of digital technology. A recent Cisco Annual Internet Report predicts that there will be over 907 million internet users and 966 million mobile users in India by 2023. Given these growth opportunities, we are increasing our focus on providing on-demand services via Eros Now, which leverages its extensive digital film and music libraries to stream a wide range of content.

For fiscal year 2020, our aggregate revenues were $155.5 million.

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 market position by releasing, internationally or globally, Hindi language films which were among the top grossing films in India in calendar years 2018, 2016, 2015 and 2014. We have released 36 of the top 110 highest grossing box office films in India from 2007 to 2018. We believe that we have strong relationships with the Indian creative community and a reputation for quality productions.

We believe that these factors, along with our worldwide distribution platform, will enable us to continue to attract talent and film projects of a quality that we believe is one of the best in our industry, and build what we believe will continue to be a strong film slate in the coming years 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.

Largest Indian-content OTT Service Provider Globally

We are the largest Indian-content SVOD OTT service provider globally. Our OTT platform Eros Now has digital rights to over 12,000 films and we are collaborating with leading talents and strategic partners to create new content and expand Eros Now’s digital library. To maximize the reach of Eros Now, we currently have collaborations and partnerships in India and globally with market-leading telecommunications operators, OEMs and digital distribution entities to make available our digital service Eros Now across global audiences. Our partners include, among others, major telecommunications providers such as Airtel, Reliance Jio, Etisalat, Ooredoo, Vodafone and many more as well as streaming service providers such as Amazon Channels, Apple+ Channels, Youtube, Virgin Media, Roku, Sony TV and a plethora of connected devices. We are the first and only Indian-content OTT service provider to collaborate with Apple on a large scale. Furthermore, we have a unique and strategic relationship with Microsoft to further develop and create video technology. We believe that the scale of our digital library and the number of partnerships and collaborations with market leaders make us well positioned to take advantage of the increasing demand for digital entertainment content in India and other parts of the world.

Established, worldwide, multi-channel distribution network with access to 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 and Spanish 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. We entered the China market in 2018 by releasing Bajrangi Bhaijaan across more than 8,000 screens, which grossed approximately $45 million at the box office in China since release. We also released Andhadhun in China in April 2019 which collected over $43 million in the Chinese box office in less than four weeks. Our partnership with iQiyi, one of China’s leading online video sites, also gives us direct access to Chinese viewers who have an interest in Indian film content. Furthermore, we are planning the release of our Indo-Chinese co-productions in fiscal 2021 in India, China and the rest of the world.

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During Fiscal Year 2020 Eros Now established a digital distribution partnership in China with Wasu Media, a large state-owned culture media group. The Wasu Group is one of the largest comprehensive digital content service providers across interactive TV, 3G / 4G mobile TV and Internet TV in China. Wasu’s services cover approximately 100 cities in 29 provinces in China with cable network as well as covering the three major telecom operators and several million Internet users.

Through this global distribution network, we distribute Indian entertainment content over three primary distribution channels — theatrical, television syndication and digital and ancillary 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 stable cash flow generation.

Our revenue model is diversified by three major distribution channels:

·theatrical distribution;
·television syndication; and
·digital distribution and ancillary products and services, including Eros Now.

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.

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 brand with fast-growing international reach

We believe we are a leading brand that is a household name in India. Through our partnerships we are also able to reach the large Indian diaspora globally.

Theatrical Distribution Outside India: Outside India, we distribute our films theatrically through our offices in Dubai, Singapore, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and through sub-distributors in other markets. 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.

International Broadcasting Distribution: Outside of India, we license Indian film content to content aggregator to reach cable and pay TV subscriber and for broadcasting on major channels and platforms around the world. We also license dubbed content to Europe, Arabic and Spanish 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.

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Dynamic management of our film library

We have the ability to combine our new release strategy with our library monetization efforts to maximize our revenues. We believe our extensive film library provides us with unique opportunities for content monetization, 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. The existence of high margin library monetization avenues especially in television and digital platforms reduce reliance on theatrical revenues.

Strong and experienced management team with established relationships with key industry participants.

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:

Scaling up productions and co-productions to augment our film library and focus on creating original digital content.

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

We continue to focus on ramping up our own productions and co-productions through key partnerships. These include our partnership with the acclaimed producer-director, Aanand L Rai (Colour Yellow Production) and our joint venture partnership with screen writer and director V. Vijayendra Prasad. We have also entered into a distribution partnership agreement with Apple to make available Eros Now’s content across Apple devices in multiple countries including India. These strategic partnerships not only help us augment our in-house content production model but also expand our geographical footprint for content monetization.

Our focus is to become a global digital content company. Eros Now has rights to 12,000 films across ten different Indian languages and is rapidly expanding its content base. Eros Now enhances its consumer appeal through exploring dynamic genres to create unseen, relatable and contemporary Originals that appeal to a wide variety of audience. The launch of our Original digital series, comprising a broad mix of genres from comedy to horror and crime thriller, has enjoyed great success to date, with its original series Side Hero, Smoke, Metro Park, Modi and others winning over ten awards across different platforms. In April 2018, Eros Now successfully premiered its first worldwide direct-to-digital original film Meri Nimmo, in association with acclaimed director Aanand L Rai, to positive critical reception. Over the next 12 months, Eros Now is planning to launch an exclusive stable of feature films, made-for-digital originals films and original episodic programs, some including: Flesh by Siddharth Anand; Halahal by Zeishan Qadri; Bhumi by Pavan Kripalani; and a most awaited Season 2 of our well-known series Metro Park.

Eros Now Quickie, an IP that we launched to cater to high quality short form programming with stories that can be told within 80-100 mins and broken down into episodes of 8-10 mins has had fabulous pick up with Tier 2 audiences with IP’s like ‘The Investigation’ and Date gone wrong resonating very well with the youth. We plan to further scale this initiative across regional languages and build this culture with our viewers and subscribers.

Eros Now Prime - is our soon to be launched premium English Service is scheduled to go live in Q2 FY 21. We are excited about our plans to further penetrate the English speaking, higher ARPU market in India, and further leverage and seed this premium programming to regional audiences across the country. We also announced a strategic partnership with NBC Universal earlier this year and are looking to add other studios to our platform.

The digital music industry in India has been growing exponentially over the past few years, with over 25+ million digital audio streaming users. Film music is often marketed and monetized separately from the underlying film, both before and after a film is released. To further capture this market opportunity, we plan to expand our deep music library, which is an essential component to Eros Now’s offering, and to that end have recently established a partnership with YouTube Music in India to further capitalise on the digital music opportunity.

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

The adoption of 4G is gradually increasing and now 3G and 4G constitute over 75% of the overall wireless internet user 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 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 across all operating systems and platforms across mobile, tablets, cable or internet, including through deals with OEMs. As of March 31, 2020, Eros Now caters to 29.3 million paying subscribers and has garnered 196.8 million registered users across global digital distribution platforms. While a majority of users are from South Asia, followed by North America and the United Kingdom we get paid subscribers from 150 countries. Out of the 12,000 films that Eros Now has rights to, 5,000 films are owned in perpetuity, across Hindi and regional languages. Eros Now service is integrated with some of India’s major telecommunications providers such as Reliance Jio, Airtel, Vodafone, Idea and BSNL, as well as streaming service providers such as Amazon, Apple, Virgin Media and Roku, and has partnerships with connected devices such as televisions and mobile handsets with companies such as Samsung to distribute in multiple territories. We continue to believe that Eros Now will be a significant player within the OTT online Indian entertainment industry, especially given the rapidly growing internet and mobile penetration within India. We will also continue to expand Eros Now’s reach beyond audiences in India through strategic collaborations such as our partnership with Apple to distribute Eros Now content on all Apple devices in multiple countries outside of India.

Capitalize on positive industry trends driven by roll-out of high speed 4G services in the Indian market.

Driven by the economic expansion within India and the corresponding increase in consumer discretionary spending, FICCI-EY Report 2020 projects that the dynamic Indian media and entertainment industry will grow at a 10.0% CAGR, from INR 1.674 trillion in 2018 to INR 2.416 trillion by 2022, and that the Indian digital media industry will grow at a 23% CAGR over the same period. India is one of the largest and most prolific film markets in the world as measured by output and remains underpenetrated compared to other established cinema markets such as the US and UK. Ticket prices in India remain at lower levels than other cinema markets globally and have room to increase. In fiscal year 2019 the average ticket price amongst the two leading multiplex cinema chains in India, Inox Leisure Limited and PVR Limited, was $2.70, based on information publicly disclosed by them. This compares to average ticket prices in the US of $9.16 during fiscal year 2019.

The Indian television market is the second largest in the world after China, reaching an estimated 175 million television viewers in 2019. The FICCI-EY Report 2020 projects that the Indian television industry will grow from $9.9 billion in 2018 to $11.8 billion in 2022. The growing size of the television 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 for content distribution in India. According to a recent Cisco report, India is forecasted to have approximately 907 million internet users by 2023, a large increase from 398 million internet users in 2018. According to a recent EY FICCI report, by 2025 there are expected to be one billion “screens” in India, of which 250 million screens would be television-sized while 750 million would be smart phones. This is expected to result in a continued growth in demand for content – both long form, episodic and short form – as well as provide significant opportunities for content creators currently there are approximately 550 million television and smart phone consumers in India, We aim to 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.

Disclaimer:The exceptional circumstances brought about by coronavirus have led to the suspension of FICCI Frames. This report and the forewords were written before this development took place. We are not yet in a position to accurately quantify the deep impact which the coronavirus will have on the media ecosystem and we will come back to the investor community when we are in a better position to articulate the impact with updated future forecasts.

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.

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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. To that end, we have entered into arrangements with local distributors in Taiwan, the Middle East, Japan, South Korea, and China to distribute dubbed or subtitled Eros films through theatrical release, television broadcast or DVD release. The MENA (“Middle East North Africa”) market represents a compelling market opportunity given the consumer trends, attractive demographics and Eros’ historic presence in the market and numerous distribution partnerships including with Etisalat and Ooredoo. 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 continue to be committed to promoting regional content films and growing the regional movie industry. 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.

Our regional language films include Marathi, Malayalam, Punjabi, Kannada and Bengali films. Our Malayalam film Pathemari had 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 films 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 co-production, acquisition and distribution of a diverse portfolio of Indian language and themed films that we believe will have a wide audience appeal. Of the 30 films we released in fiscal 2020, eight were Hindi films, one was a Tamil film and twenty-one were regional films. Of the 72 films we released in fiscal year 2019, fifteen were Hindi films, seven was Tamil/Telugu films and fifty were regional 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 language. 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. The remainder of the films (mainly Hindi but also Tamil and/or Telugu) included in each annual release slate is built around films with various budgets to create a slate that will attract varying segments of the audience. The remainder of the slate consists of Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and other language films of a lower budget.

We focus on content driven films with appropriate budgets in order to generate an attractive rate of return and seek to mitigate the risks associated with film budgets through the use of our extensive pre-sale strategies. We have increased our focus on Tamil and Telugu films for similar reasons. Our Hindi films are typically high or medium budget films in the popular comedy and romance genres, supplemented by lower budget films, and our 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 also believe that 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, Kannada and Punjabi. In addition, the key Indian release dates for films, during school and other holidays, vary by region and therefore our 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 our films can be successfully released. We intend to steadily build up our portfolio of films targeting other regional language markets.

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Our Business

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, which 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, and continue to focus on ramping up our own productions and co-productions through key partnerships. These partnerships include our partnership with Aanand L Rai (Colour Yellow Productions), which has released a range of films across budgets, genres and languages; and co-production partnership with screen writer and director V. Vijayendra Prasad.

Moreover, we are continuing to focus on expanding the reach of our content by further penetrating the China market, which we believe is a significant market for Indian films, and releasing more dubbed and subtitled content to new markets beyond China. To that end, in April 2019 we released Andhadhun, a dark comedy crime thriller, in China in collaboration with Tang Media Partners, a leading Chinese film distributor. In addition, these strategic partnerships not only help us augment our in-house content production capacity but also expands our geographical canvas for content monetization.

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 20 years from the Indian initial theatrical release date, although the term can vary for certain films for which we may only obtain international or only Indian distribution rights, and occasionally soundtrack or other rights are excluded from the rights acquired. For 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 in our analysis focused on the likelihood of the financial success of each project. Our management is extensively involved in the selection of our high budget films in particular.

Regardless of whether a film will be acquired or co-produced, we determine the likely value to us of the rights to be acquired for each film based on a variety of factors, including the stars cast, director, composer, script, estimated budget, genre, track record of the production house, our relationship with the talent and historical results from comparable films. We follow a disciplined green lighting process involving extensive evaluation of films involving track records, revenue potential and costs before green lighting by a committee led by senior management and business leaders. The Company also has risk sharing contracts with talent and key stakeholders to ensure risk diversification. 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, we are able to scale our film slate more effectively. The following table summarizes the typical terms included in our acquisition and co-production contracts.

Acquisition

Co-production

Film CostNegotiated “market value”Actual cost of production or capped budget and 10–15% production fee
Rights10 years–20 yearsExclusive 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 Terms10–30% upon signature
Balance upon delivery or in instalments 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

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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 instalments 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 for each of the co-produced films, 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
·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 digital, 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 over 3,000 films, including recent and classic titles that span different genres, budgets and languages. Eros Now has rights to over 11,00012,000 films, out of which approximatelyaround 5,000 films are owned in perpetuity, 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.

Our film library has been built up over more than 40 years and includes hits from across that time period, including, among others, Pati patni aur who, Andhadhun, Boyz 2, Newton, Munna Michael, Subh Mangal Saavadhan, Ki & Ka, Housefull 3, Dishoom, Baar Baar Dekho, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Bajirao Mastani, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, NH10, Badlapur, Devdas, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Vicky Donor, English Vinglish, and Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela. We have a multi-platform business model and derive revenues from the following three distribution channels:

Theatrical:The theatrical channel largely includes revenues from multiplex chains, single screen theaters, distributors and content aggregators in case of dubbed and/or subtitled versions. We are a leading player in a growing and under-penetrated cinema market with two and seven out of top 15 box office hits in calendar year 2016 and 2015 respectively. We released a total of 24 films in fiscal year 2018, including 1 high budget film and 4 medium budget films. Based on gross collections reported by comScore, our market share (as an average over the preceding seven calendar years to 2017) is 27% of all theatrically released Indian language films in the United Kingdom and the U.S.

Television Syndication:We de-risk our theatrical revenues while enhancing revenue predictability through pre-sales and television syndication which includes satellite television broadcasting, cable television and terrestrial television which are facilitated by our long-standing Eros brand, reputation and industry relationships. We license Indian film content (usually a combination of new releases and existing films in our library) over a stated period of time in exchange for a license fee, where payments terms may extend up to 18-24 months in some cases.

Digital and ancillary: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 Internet Protocol television (IPTV), Video on Demand (VOD) (including Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) and Direct-to-Home (DTH)) and online internet channels. This enables us to prolong the lifecycle of our films and film library. To date Eros Now has successfully premiered over 180 films and over 280 episodes of original short form programming. We are present in a high-growth digital market with India projected to have over 829 million internet users by 2021, according to the FICCI Report 2018.

Content development and acquisition

The successacquired most of our film distribution business lies in our abilitycontent through fixed term contracts with third parties, which may be subject to acquire and develop content.expiration or early termination. We have been building and addingown the rights to the rest of our film library for the past 40 years and each year, throughcontent as co-producers or sole producer of those films. Through such acquisition and co-production arrangements, we seek to acquire rights to 40 to 50 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. We currentlyIn particular, we do not own or have license the music rights over approximately 3,000to a majority of the films including recent and classic titles that span different genres, budgets and languages. Each year,in our library. We expect to maintain more than half of the rights we focus on co-production, acquisition and distributionpresently own through at least December 31, 2025.

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In an effort to reach a wide range of audiences, we maintain rights to a diverse portfolio of Indian languagefilms spanning various genres, generations and themed films that we believe will have a wide audience appeal. For fiscal 2018, we released a totallanguages. More than 55% of 24the films in Indiaour 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, Kannada and overseas. These comprised 14 Hindi films, 1 Tamil language film and 9 regional films. The Company’s strong portfolio of films drove theatrical, television and digital/ancillary revenues worldwide with key titles such asMunna Michael (Hindi), Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (Hindi), Sarkar 3 (Hindi), Oru Kidayin Karunai Manu (Tamil), Newton (Hindi), Sniff (Hindi), Posto (Bengali)contributing a significant share toPunjabi.

We treat our revenue for fiscal 2018.

For fiscal year 2018, our aggregate revenues were $261.3 million which were derived from theatrical, television syndication and digital and ancillary distribution channels. Our typical annual slate of new releases consists of both Hindi language films and regional language films, primarily Tamil, Telugu and 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) which we release globally. Of the total 24 movies released in the fiscal 2018, one was a high budget film. We released 4 medium budget films in fiscal 2018 which mainly comprise Hindi and Tamil language films. This annual release slate is built around the high and medium budget films to create a slate that will attract varying segments of the audience. The low budget film slate consists of Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and other regional language films.

We are focusing on content driven films with appropriate budgets in order to generate attractive rate of return. We seek to mitigate the risks associated with high budget films through the useas part of our extensive pre-sale strategies. We have increased our focus on 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.

With a focus on creating intellectual property in-house along with delivering wholesome entertainment to audiences, we have entered into key co-production partnerships with producers and directors. Colour Yellow Production, a subsidiary of Eros India with Aanand L Rai has announced film releases across budgets, genres and languages. This co-production model gives us better visibility on actual cost of production ensuring capped budgets and exclusive distribution rights, typically for at least 20 years.

In February 2018, Reliance Industries Ltd (“Reliance”) agreed, subject to customary regulatory and other approvals, to purchase 5% of our A Ordinary shares at a price of $15 per share, which represents a premium of 18% over the last closing price beforelibrary one year from the date of announcement. Attheir 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 same time, Eros Indiatheatrical release period for a film has ended. In addition, because our film library is large and Reliance announced an agreement to partnerdiversified, we believe that we can more effectively leverage our library in India and formed Reliance Eros Productions LLP to jointly produce and consolidate content from across India. The new partnership will equally invest up to $150 million to produce and acquire Indianmany circumstances by licensing not just single films and digital originals across all languages. This investment will dramatically scale Eros’ capabilities in content production, marketing, and distribution, and make new strides on the digital and content forefronts, benefitting from the platform synergies across technology, content and digital platforms.but multiple films.

Award winning content / content/franchise

We are strategically positioned as a leader inOur film releases frequently receive awards and accolades. For instance, our industry and are able to monetize our films through multiple channels globally. Our Hindi release Newton was selected as India’s official entry for the Best Foreign Film language category at the 2018 Academy Awards. It also received accolades at the Berlin Film Festival. We have won over 207218 awards in the last four Fiscal Yearsfiscal years 2015, 2016, 2017,2018 and 2019, including Best Studio of the Year and Excellence in International Distribution.Year. Some of our films and original digital series from fiscal year 2018 and fiscal 2019 that won awards include Side Hero, Smoke, Mukkabaaz, Newton, Shubh Mangal Savdhaan and Munna Michael.Side Hero won three awards including Best Web Series and Best Actor. Smoke received Best Launch of the Year at The ET Now - Stars of the Industry Awards. Mukkabaaz won three awards including Best Director and Best Actor. Newton won 1113 awards including Best International Film.Shubh Mangal Savdhaan won 3 awards including Marketing Campaign

Our Strategy

Our strategy is driven by the scale and variety of our content and the Year.Munna Michael won 2 awards including Best Social Media Marketing Campaign. Our films overglobal exploitation of that content through diversified channels. Specifically, we intend to pursue the years have won various awards in multiple categories such as Best Film, Best Director, Best Story, Best Actor, Best Music, Best Special Effects awards, and Innovative Marketing Campaign and Best Child Actor awards, to name a few ..Bajrangi Bhaijaanwon 37 awards including National Award for Popular Film.Bajirao Mastaniwon over 79 award titles including National Award for Best Director.Tanu Weds Manu Returnswon 18 awards including National Award for Best Female Actor in a leading role,Herowon 7 awards andBadlapurwon 7 awards. Our Malayalam filmPathemarihad also won a national award for Best Malayalam Film. Eros India has featured as ‘India’s Top 500 Companies’ as per Dun & Bradstreet Report 2018.


Market opportunity

following strategies:

DomesticScaling up productions and co-productions to augment our film library and focus on creating original digital content.: Our distribution capabilities enable us

We will continue to target a majority ofleverage the 1.3 billion people in India. Recently, as demand for regional filmslongstanding relationships with creative talent, production houses and other media has increasedkey industry participants that we have built since our founding to source a wide variety of content. Our focus will be on investing in India,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 brand recognition in Hindifocus on films has helped us to growwith various budgets and augment our non-Hindi film business by targeting regional audiences in India and overseas. Withlibrary with quality content for exploitation through our distribution network for Hindichannels and Tamil films, we believe we are well positionedexplore new bundling strategies to expand our offering of non-Hindimonetize existing content.

Overseas:Depending on the film, the distribution rights we acquire may be global, international or India only. 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 include Germany, Poland, Russia, France, Italy, Spain, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, China, the Middle East and Latin America among others. In all these markets it is the locals who are neither English nor Hindi speaking who view the content of the Indian film in a dubbed or subtitled version in their language, similar to the manner in which they view Hollywood content. Additionally, there is a large established Indian diaspora in North America which has a strong interest in the content of the Indian film industry. Based on gross collections reported by comScore, our market share (as an average over the preceding seven calendar years to 2017) is 27% of all theatrically released Indian language films in the United Kingdom and the U.S. Other international markets that exhibit significant demand for subtitled or dubbed Indian-themed entertainment include Europe and Southeast Asia. China is increasingly becoming an important market and we expect to release select films from our slate for wider release into China. In fiscal year 2018, Eros releasedBajarangi Bhaijan across more than 8,000 screens in March 2018 and has since collected over $45 million at the box office in China. Based on information published by PricewaterhouseCoopers on PwC Global Entertainment and Media Outlook 2017 — 2021, China was the world’s second largest box-office market with revenue of $6.2bn in 2016. It is a lucrative market for cinema with revenue expected to grow at a 11.6% CAGR from US$6.2bn in 2016 to US$10.7bn by 2021. China had 41,056 cinema screens compared to 40,928 in the US in 2016 and by 2021, China will have more than 80,000 screens, nearly twice as many as the US.

Eros Now

With falling smartphone prices, reduced data costs, increasing mobile data speed and the flexibility of viewing content at any hour of the day, OTT platforms are fast becoming favoured entertainment destination for youth. In fact, currently, 80% of the OTT content consumers are under 30 years of age and are starting to pay a premium for their choice of content according to the FICCI Report 2017. As of March 31, 2018, Eros Now has exceeded 100 million registered users and 7.9 million paying users worldwide across APP, WAP and Web. This growth represents a 58% increase over the last reported quarter and a 276% increase from 2.1 million paying subscribers in fiscal year 2017. We define paying subscribers to mean any subscriber who has made a valid payment to subscribe to a service that includes Eros Now services as part of a bundle or on a standalone basis, either directly or indirectly through an Original Equipment Manufacturer (“OEM”) or mobile telecom provider in any given month, be it through a daily, weekly or monthly billing pack, as long as the validity of the pack is for at least one month. Eros Now users have demonstrated some of the highest levels of engagement in the India OTT space. Average session time for an engaged Eros Now user is over 40 minutes which is an industry high.

We believe Eros Now has the largest Indian language movie content library worldwide with over 11,000 digital titles, out of which approximately 5,000 films are owned in perpetuity. Eros Now also has a deep library of short-form content, totalling over 4,400 short-form videos including music videos, trailers, original short exclusive interviewscontinue to focus on ramping up our own productions and marketing shorts. To date Eros Now has successfully premiered over 180 films in nine different languages including Hindi, English, Tamil (Mo), Bengali (Monchora), Marathi (Guru), Gujarati, Malayalam (White), Telugu and Punjabi. The digital premieres span a wide range of genres, several high profile digitally-premiered films include:Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Bajirao Mastani, The Lunchbox, PK, Tanu Weds Manu Returns and Aligarh.

Eros Now made its IPL debut in Season 11 as the title sponsor of Virat Kohli captained team, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The collaboration was a part of the Company’s endeavour to build a truly digital video brand with Indian users and provide the best of entertainment the country has to offer. Keeping upco-productions through key partnerships. These include our partnership with the FIFA World Cup fever, Eros Now launched Eros Now Betz, a unique app created for millions of football lovers globally. With Eros Now Betz, users were able to earn points for every correct prediction that they make while the matches are being played in real-time. The platform has also tied-upacclaimed producer-director, Aanand L Rai (Colour Yellow Production) and our joint venture partnership with brands across verticals like banking, lifestylescreen writer and food with State Bank of India (SBI), Gold's Gym, Paytm, Nature's Basket and Voonik.


Eros Now and Reliance Jio renewed their platform integration deal. Under the deal, Jio subscribers gained access to Eros Now’s high-quality content including full-length movies and thematically curated playlists along with functions such as multi-language subtitles for movies, music video playlists, regional language filters, video progression and a watch list of titles. Currently live on Samsung TV, Eros Nowdirector V. Vijayendra Prasad. We have also entered into a strategic distribution partnership agreement with Xiaomi, India’s leading smartphone brandApple to make available Eros Now’s content across Apple devices in multiple countries including India. These strategic partnerships not only help us augment our in-house content production model but also expand our geographical footprint for its smart Mi LED TVs. This distribution deal between Eros Now and Xiaomicontent monetization.

Our focus is an extension of the immersiveto become a global digital content experience that both partners offer. In addition to that,company. Eros Now has entered the Sri Lankan market through a partnership with Dialog Axiata, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider,rights to 12,000 films across ten different Indian languages and will be available on the Dialog ViU app.

Eros is extendingrapidly expanding its technological expertise in content curation by using world-class technology for its Original Content. Each original is/will be given the treatment of a film in terms of technology used and the detailing it requires from cinematography to production at which it is created. The technology on the platform gives consumers the ease of maneuverability, including categorization, search-ability and stacking of content under different domains for easy consumer access.base. Eros Now is available on App Store, Play Store for downloadenhances its consumer appeal through exploring dynamic genres to create unseen, relatable and can be streamed on any device including Android, Amazon Fire TV stick, Android TV, Apple TV, Opera TV, making the entertainment experience platform agnostic. Having tie-upscontemporary Originals that appeal to a wide variety of audience. The launch of our Original digital series, comprising a broad mix of genres from comedy to horror and crime thriller, has enjoyed great success to date, with its original series Side Hero, Smoke, Metro Park, Modi and others winning over ten awards across payment gateways and financial systems worldwide it provides a seamless experience to the consumers for payments and downloads.

Eros Now Originals

different platforms. In April 2018, Eros Now successfully premiered its first worldwide direct-to-digital original film 'Meri Nimmo', in association with acclaimed director Aanand L Rai, to positive critical reception. The platform is excited for its slate of originals with global concepts that will entertain audiences are being produced internally in partnership with the best talent. Over the next year,12 months, Eros Now is planning to launch an exclusive stable of feature films, made-for-digital originals films and over 20 original episodic programs, outsome including: Flesh by Siddharth Anand; Halahal by Zeishan Qadri; Bhumi by Pavan Kripalani; and a most awaited Season 2 of which three originalour well-known series -Flip, SmokeMetro Park.andSide Hero will be launched at the beginning of September. While films like Meri Nimmo and Toffee are live on the platform, upcoming titles likeBlue Oak Academy, August 25th, Bhumi, Dashavatar, Minerva Mills MaladyandKurukshetra will range across genres of drama, comedy, thriller, crime, horror and mythology. These originals will have popular names like Rohan Sippy, Kunal Roy Kapoor, Rajat Kapoor, Siddharth Anand and Pavan Kriplani associated with them in various capacities.

Eros Now — Market Opportunity

Quickie, an IP that we launched to cater to high quality short form programming with stories that can be told within 80-100 mins and broken down into episodes of 8-10 mins has had fabulous pick up with Tier 2 audiences with IP’s like ‘The Investigation’ and Date gone wrong resonating very well with the youth. We plan to further scale this initiative across regional languages and build this culture with our viewers and subscribers.

Eros Now Prime - is uniquely positionedour soon to benefitbe launched premium English Service is scheduled to go live in Q2 FY 21. We are excited about our plans to further penetrate the English speaking, higher ARPU market in India, and further leverage and seed this premium programming to regional audiences across the country. We also announced a strategic partnership with NBC Universal earlier this year and are looking to add other studios to our platform.

The digital music industry in India has been growing exponentially over the past few years, with over 25+ million digital audio streaming users. Film music is often marketed and monetized separately from the fast-growing internetunderlying film, both before and mobile penetration in India. As per Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) there were over 1.2 billion wireless subscribersafter a film is released. To further capture this market opportunity, we plan to expand our deep music library, which is an essential component to Eros Now’s offering, and to that end have recently established a partnership with YouTube Music in India atto further capitalise on the end of February 2018. The number of wireless internet users in India is likely to reach 829 milliondigital music opportunity.

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To promote Eros Now, our OTT digital entertainment service platform, as the preferred choice for online entertainment by 2021. consumers across digital platforms.

The adoption of 4G is gradually increasing and now 3G and 4G constitute over 75% of the overall wireless internet user 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.

Our portfolioEros Now 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 across all operating systems and platforms across mobile, tablets, cable or internet, including through deals with OEMs. As of March 31, 2020, Eros Now caters to 29.3 million paying subscribers and has garnered 196.8 million registered users across global digital distribution platforms. While a majority of users are from South Asia, followed by North America and the United Kingdom we get paid subscribers from 150 countries. Out of the 12,000 films overthat Eros Now has rights to, 5,000 films are owned in perpetuity, across Hindi and regional languages. Eros Now service is integrated with some of India’s major telecommunications providers such as Reliance Jio, Airtel, Vodafone, Idea and BSNL, as well as streaming service providers such as Amazon, Apple, Virgin Media and Roku, and has partnerships with connected devices such as televisions and mobile handsets with companies such as Samsung to distribute in multiple territories. We continue to believe that Eros Now will be a significant player within the last three completed fiscal years comprised 132 films. In fiscal 2018 our aggregate revenues were $261.3 millionOTT online Indian entertainment industry, especially given the rapidly growing internet and we released 24 films in total eithermobile penetration within India. We will also continue to expand Eros Now’s reach beyond audiences in India overseas or both. These comprised 14 Hindi films, 1 Tamil film and 9 regional language films. The Company’s strong portfoliothrough strategic collaborations such as our partnership with Apple to distribute Eros Now content on all Apple devices in multiple countries outside of films likeMunna Michael (Hindi), Shubh Mangal Savdhaan (Hindi), Sarkar 3 (Hindi), Oru Kidayin Karunai Manu (Tamil), Newton (Hindi), Sniff (Hindi), Posto (Bengali), Raid (Overseas)drove theatrical, television and digital/ancillary revenues worldwide.India.

Our total revenues for fiscal 2018 increased to $261.3 million from $253.0 million in fiscal 2017, our net income decreased to $(9.7) million for fiscal 2018 from $11.5 million in fiscal 2017 which was mainlyCapitalize on accountpositive industry trends driven by roll-out of non-cash expenses of $51.1 million in fiscal 2018 against non-cash (income) of $10.6 million in fiscal 2017. The resultant EBITDA (Non-GAAP) also decreased to $20.2 million in fiscal 2018 from $42.5 million in fiscal 2017. The Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) increased to $78.6 million from $55.7 million in fiscal 2017 on account of lower amortization charge associated to lower cost of comparable film mix. The Gross Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) increased to $193.9 million from $191.0 million.


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, 
  2018  2017  2016 
  (in thousands) 
India $109,986  $129,251  $158,843 
Europe  7,739   7,695   24,367 
North America  5,147   10,132   19,865 
Rest of the world  138,381   105,916   71,353 
Total revenues $261,253  $252,994  $274,428 

  Year ended March 31, 
  2018  2017  2016 
  (%) 
India  42.1   51.1   57.9 
Europe  3.0   3.0   8.9 
North America  2.0   4.0   7.2 
Rest of the world  52.9   41.9   26.0 
Total revenues  100.0%   100.0%   100.0% 

We believe the following competitive strengths position us as a leading global companyhigh speed 4G services in the Indian film entertainment industry.

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

As one ofDriven by the leading participantseconomic expansion within India and the corresponding increase in consumer discretionary spending, FICCI-EY Report 2020 projects that the dynamic Indian media and entertainment industry will grow at a 10.0% CAGR, from INR 1.674 trillion in 2018 to INR 2.416 trillion by 2022, and that the Indian film entertainmentdigital media industry we believe our size, scale and market position will continue contributing to our growth ingrow at a 23% CAGR over the same period. 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 2016, 2015 and 2014. We believe that we have strong relationships with the Indian creative community and a reputation for quality productions. We have also announced partnership with Reliance to equally invest up to $150 million to produce and acquire Indian films and digital originals across all languages. This investment will dramatically scale Eros’ capabilities in content production, marketing, and distribution.

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 bestlargest and most prolific film markets in the world as measured by output and remains underpenetrated compared to other established cinema markets such as the US and UK. Ticket prices in India remain at lower levels than other cinema markets globally and have room to increase. In fiscal year 2019 the average ticket price amongst the two leading multiplex cinema chains in India, Inox Leisure Limited and PVR Limited, was $2.70, based on information publicly disclosed by them. This compares to average ticket prices in the US of $9.16 during fiscal year 2019.

The Indian television market is the second largest in the world after China, reaching an estimated 175 million television viewers in 2019. The FICCI-EY Report 2020 projects that the Indian television industry will grow from $9.9 billion in 2018 to $11.8 billion in 2022. The growing size of the television 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 for content distribution in India. According to a recent Cisco report, India is forecasted to have approximately 907 million internet users by 2023, a large increase from 398 million internet users in 2018. According to a recent EY FICCI report, by 2025 there are expected to be one billion “screens” in India, of which 250 million screens would be television-sized while 750 million would be smart phones. This is expected to result in a continued growth in demand for content – both long form, episodic and short form – as well as provide significant opportunities for content creators currently there are approximately 550 million television and smart phone consumers in India, We aim to 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.

Disclaimer:The exceptional circumstances brought about by coronavirus have led to the suspension of FICCI Frames. This report and the forewords were written before this development took place. We are not yet in a position to accurately quantify the deep impact which the coronavirus will have on the media ecosystem and we will come back to the investor community when we are in a better position to articulate the impact with updated future forecasts.

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.

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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. To that end, we have entered into arrangements with local distributors in Taiwan, the Middle East, Japan, South Korea, and China to distribute dubbed or subtitled Eros films through theatrical release, television broadcast or DVD release. The MENA (“Middle East North Africa”) market represents a compelling market opportunity given the consumer trends, attractive demographics and Eros’ historic presence in the market and numerous distribution partnerships including with Etisalat and Ooredoo. 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 continue to be committed to promoting regional content films and growing the regional movie industry. 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.

Our regional language films include Marathi, Malayalam, Punjabi, Kannada and Bengali films. Our Malayalam film Pathemari had 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 films into non-Hindi language content targeted towards these regional audiences.

Slate Profile

The success of our film distribution business lies in our industry,ability to acquire content. Each year, we focus on co-production, acquisition and build whatdistribution of a diverse portfolio of Indian language and themed films that we believe will continuehave a wide audience appeal. Of the 30 films we released in fiscal 2020, eight were Hindi films, one was a Tamil film and twenty-one were regional films. Of the 72 films we released in fiscal year 2019, fifteen were Hindi films, seven was Tamil/Telugu films and fifty were regional 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 be a stronglesser extent other regional Indian language. 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. The remainder of the films (mainly Hindi but also Tamil and/or Telugu) included in each annual release slate is built around films with various budgets to create a slate that will attract varying segments of the audience. The remainder of the slate consists of Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and other language films of a lower budget.

We focus on content driven films with appropriate budgets in order to generate an attractive rate of return and seek to mitigate the risks associated with film slatebudgets through the use of our extensive pre-sale strategies. We have increased our focus on Tamil and Telugu films for similar reasons. Our Hindi films are typically high or medium budget films in the coming yearspopular comedy and romance genres, supplemented by lower budget films, and our 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 also believe that 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, Kannada and Punjabi. In addition, the key Indian release dates for films, during school and other holidays, vary by region and therefore our 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 our films can be successfully released. We intend to steadily build up our portfolio of films targeting other regional language markets.

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Our Business

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, which 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 actorsbanners in India, and continue to focus on ramping up our own productions and co-productions through key partnerships. These partnerships include our partnership with Aanand L Rai (Colour Yellow Productions), which has released a range of films across budgets, genres and languages; and co-production partnership with screen writer and director V. Vijayendra Prasad.

Moreover, we are continuing to focus on expanding the reach of our content by further penetrating the China market, which we believe is a significant market for Indian films, and releasing more dubbed and subtitled content to new markets beyond China. To that end, in April 2019 we released Andhadhun, a dark comedy crime thriller, in China in collaboration with Tang Media Partners, a leading Chinese film distributor. In addition, these strategic partnerships not only help us augment our in-house content production houses with whomcapacity but also expands our geographical canvas for content monetization.

Regardless of the acquisition method, over the past five years, we have previously delivered our biggest hits. typically obtained exclusive global distribution rights in all media for a minimum period of ten to 20 years from the Indian initial theatrical release date, although the term can vary for certain films for which we may only obtain international or only Indian distribution rights, and occasionally soundtrack or other rights are excluded from the rights acquired. For 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 thatproducers 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 combined strengthselection of our newslate with other members of our management in our analysis focused on the likelihood of the financial success of each project. Our management is extensively involved in the selection of our high budget films in particular.

Regardless of whether a film will be acquired or co-produced, we determine the likely value to us of the rights to be acquired for each film based on a variety of factors, including the stars cast, director, composer, script, estimated budget, genre, track record of the production house, our relationship with the talent and historical results from comparable films. We follow a disciplined green lighting process involving extensive evaluation of films involving track records, revenue potential and costs before green lighting by a committee led by senior management and business leaders. The Company also has risk sharing contracts with talent and key stakeholders to ensure risk diversification. 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, we are able to scale our film slate more effectively. The following table summarizes the typical terms included in our acquisition and co-production contracts.

Acquisition

Co-production

Film CostNegotiated “market value”Actual cost of production or capped budget and 10–15% production fee
Rights10 years–20 yearsExclusive 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 Terms10–30% upon signature
Balance upon delivery or in instalments 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

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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 instalments 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 for each of the co-produced films, 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
·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 digital, 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 extensivepackage of distribution rights in a particular film library positions us wellmay therefore vary over time. We work with producers not only to buildacquire or co-produce new strategic relationships.

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.

Established, worldwide, multi-channel distribution network with entry proposed into China.Our Film Library

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 subtitledcurrently own or dubbed in local languages. Internationally, our distribution network extendslicense rights to over 50 countries, such3,000 films, including recent and classic titles that span different genres, budgets and languages. Eros Now has rights to over 12,000 films, out of which around 5,000 films are owned in perpetuity, across Hindi and regional languages from Eros’s internal library 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 and Spanish 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. We entered the China market in fiscal year 2018 by releasing Bajarangi Bhaijaan across more than 8,000 screens in March 2018 and has grossed approximately $45 million at the box office since release. We are also planning the release of our Indo-Chinese co-productions in fiscal 2020 in India, China and the rest of the world. Through this global distribution network, we distribute Indian entertainmentwell as third party aggregated content, over three primary distribution channels — theatrical, television syndication and digital and ancillary 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 inmakes it one of the direct exploitation of our films withoutlargest Indian movie offering platforms around the payment of significant commissions to sub-distributors.


Diversified revenue streamsworld. Our film library has been built up over more than 40 years and pre-sale strategies mitigate risk and promote stable cash flow generation.

Our revenue model is diversified by three major distribution channels:

·theatrical distribution;
·television syndication; and
·digital distribution and ancillary products and services, including Eros Now.

In fiscal 2018, our revenuesincludes hits from theatrical distribution accounted for nearly 30.3% of our aggregate revenues, revenues from television syndication accounted for 37.2% and digital distribution and ancillary revenues accounted for 32.5%across that time period, including, among others, Pati patni aur who, Andhadhun, 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 2018, we had pre-sales visibility for some of our films such asBoyz 2, Newton, Munna Michael,Sarkar 3, ShubhSubh Mangal Saavdhan. For fiscal 2017, pre-sales from sale of satellite television rights was achieved for our films such asSaavadhan, Ki & Ka, Housefull 3, Dishoom, Baar Baar Dekho, Rock On 2, Banjo,Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Bajirao Mastani, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, NH10, Badlapur, Devdas, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Vicky Donor, English Vinglish, and Goliyon Ki & KaRaasleela: Ram-Leelaalong. We have acquired most of our film content through fixed term contracts with some regionalthird 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 40 to 50 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 fiscal 2017, for our two high budget Hindi filmsparticular, we had recouped 31%do not own or license the music rights to 57%a majority of the direct production costfilms in our library. We expect to maintain more than half of the rights we presently own through televisionat least December 31, 2025.

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In an effort to reach a wide range of audiences, we maintain rights to a diverse portfolio of films spanning various genres, generations and other pre-saleslanguages. More than 55% 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, Kannada and had recouped 108% and 93%Punjabi.

We treat our new releases as part of our direct production costfilm library one year from the date of the two Telugu films released through contractual commitments prior to the films releases, and 96% of our direct production cost of one Tamil 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 brand with fast growing international reach

Theatrical Distribution Outside India: Outside India, we distribute our films theatrically through our offices in Dubai, Singapore, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Fiji and through sub-distributors in other markets. 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. In Russia, we recently partnered with Central Partnership, an affiliate of Gazprom Media, to promote and distribute Indian and Russian content across multiple platforms in both countries.

International Broadcasting Distribution: Outside of India, we license Indian film content to content aggregator to reach cable and pay TV subscriber and 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 and Spanish 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.


Dynamic management of our film library

We have the ability to combine our new release strategy with our library monetization efforts to maximize our revenues.release. We believe our extensive film library provides us with unique opportunities for content monetization,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. The existence of high margin library monetization avenues especially in television and digital platforms reduce reliance on theatrical revenues.

Strong and experienced management team with established relationships with key industry participants.Award winning content/franchise

Our management team has substantial industry knowledgefilm releases frequently receive awards and expertise, with a majorityaccolades. For instance, our Hindi release Newton was selected as India’s official entry for the Best Foreign Film language category at the 2018 Academy Awards. It also received accolades at the Berlin Film Festival. We have won 218 awards in fiscal years 2015, 2016, 2017,2018 and 2019, including Studio of the Year. Some of our executive officersfilms and executive directors having been involved inoriginal digital series from fiscal year 2018 and fiscal 2019 that won awards include Side Hero, Smoke, Mukkabaaz, Newton, Shubh Mangal Savdhaan and Munna Michael. Side Hero won three awards including Best Web Series and Best Actor. Smoke received Best Launch of the film, mediaYear at The ET Now - Stars of the Industry Awards. Mukkabaaz won three awards including Best Director 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.

Best Actor. Newton won 13 awards including Best International Film.

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:

Scaling up productions and co-productions including recently announced partnership with Reliance, to augment our film library and focus on creating never before seen Digitaloriginal digital content.

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

We continue to be focusedfocus on ramping up our own productions and co-productions through key partnerships. These partnerships include our partnership with talentedthe acclaimed producer-director, Aanand L Rai (Colour Yellow Production) and our joint venture partnership with Reliance to equally invest up to $150 million to producescreen writer and acquire Indian films and digital originals across all languages. This investment will dramatically scale Eros’ capabilities in content production, marketing, and distribution. Eros and Reliance formed Reliance Eros Productions LLP which will make new strides on the digital and content forefronts, benefitting from the platform synergies across technology, content and digital platforms.director V. Vijayendra Prasad. We have also partnered with Phars Film, one of the UAE’s largest film distribution and exhibition network. We intend to partner with Pana Film, one of the largest Turkish film studios for Indo-Turkish co-productions. We also haveentered into a distribution partnership agreement with Central PartnershipApple to make available Eros Now’s content across Apple devices in Russia, that we believe will open new markets for Eros releases.multiple countries including India. These strategic partnerships not only help us augment our in-house content production model but also expand our geographical canvasfootprint for content monetization.

Our focus is to become a global digital content company. Eros Now launched an original short film, ‘Toffee’ by Tahira Kashyap.Toffeehas already garnered critical appreciation at various festivals including the 30th Cinekid International Film Festival, Amsterdam, the 14th Bahamas International Film Festivalrights to 12,000 films across ten different Indian languages and MAMI. We also recently launched our first worldwide direct-to-digital original film,Meri Nimmo, in association with acclaimed director Aanand L Rai. In addition, over the next year Eros Now is planning to launch approximately 20 original episodic programs.rapidly expanding its content base. Eros Now enhances its consumer appeal through exploring dynamic genres to create unseen, relatable and contemporary “Originals”Originals that target the youthappeal to a wide variety of Indiaaudience. The launch of our Original digital series, comprising a broad mix of genres from comedy to horror and are an important part of thecrime thriller, has enjoyed great success to date, with its original series Side Hero, Smoke, Metro Park, Modi and others winning over ten awards across different platforms. In April 2018, Eros Now content strategy. Eros Now’ssuccessfully premiered its first worldwide direct-to-digital original content offering beganfilm Meri Nimmo, in association with acclaimed director Aanand L Rai, to positive critical reception. Over the release of Salute Siachen, India’s first ever celebrity high endurance expedition to the Siachen Glacier which was shot on a mobile phone. Eros Now has also added a series of short originals titledBlack and White which range from interviews to tête-à-tê with leading talent from the Indian film industry and are shot exclusively for Eros Now. Another short form of original content available onnext 12 months, Eros Now is “E-Buzz”,planning to launch an exclusive stable of feature films, made-for-digital originals films and original episodic programs, some including: Flesh by Siddharth Anand; Halahal by Zeishan Qadri; Bhumi by Pavan Kripalani; and a most awaited Season 2 of our well-known series Metro Park.

Eros Now Quickie, an IP that we launched to cater to high quality short form programming with stories that can be told within 80-100 mins and broken down into episodes of 8-10 mins has had fabulous pick up with Tier 2 audiences with IP’s like ‘The Investigation’ and Date gone wrong resonating very well with the youth. We plan to further scale this offers exclusive behindinitiative across regional languages and build this culture with our viewers and subscribers.

Eros Now Prime - is our soon to be launched premium English Service is scheduled to go live in Q2 FY 21. We are excited about our plans to further penetrate the sceneEnglish speaking, higher ARPU market in India, and further leverage and seed this premium programming to all social celebrity eventsregional audiences across the country. We also announced a strategic partnership with NBC Universal earlier this year and are looking to add other studios to our platform.

The digital music industry in India has been growing exponentially over the past few years, with over 25+ million digital audio streaming users. Film music is often marketed and monetized separately from the underlying film, both before and after a film is released. To further capture this market opportunity, we plan to expand our deep music library, which is an essential component to Eros Now’s offering, and to that end have recently established a partnership with YouTube Music in India to further capitalise on the calendar.digital music opportunity.


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

As per Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) there were over 1.2 billion wireless subscribers in India at the end of February 2018. The number of wireless internet users in India are likely to cross 829 million by 2021. The adoption of 4G is gradually increasing and now 3G and 4G constitute over 75% of the overall wireless internet user 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 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 across all operating systems and platforms across mobile, tablets, cable or internet, including through deals with OEMs. As of March 31, 2020, Eros Now had over 100caters to 29.3 million paying subscribers and has garnered 196.8 million registered users and over 7.9 million paying users in March 2018.across global digital distribution platforms. While a majority of users are from India, Eros Now has registered users in 135 differentSouth Asia, followed by North America and the United Kingdom we get paid subscribers from 150 countries. Out of the 12,000 films that Eros Now has rights to, over 11,000 films, out of which around 5,000 films are owned in perpetuity, across Hindi and regional languages. Eros Now service is integrated with some of India’s leading telecom operators,major telecommunications providers such as Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular, and VodafoneBSNL, as well as streaming service providers such as Amazon, Apple, Virgin Media and Roku, and has partneredpartnerships with Micromax,connected devices such as televisions and mobile handsets with companies such as Samsung and Smartron to pre-bundle Eros Nowdistribute in smart phones to be sold in India. Eros Now also entered into a strategic distribution partnership with Xiaomi, India’s leading smartphone brand for its smart Mi LED TVs. With these platforms offering Eros Now integrated as part of their video services, it has increased Eros Now’s potential of reaching a significant number of India’s total mobile subscribers.multiple territories. We continue to believe that Eros Now will be a significant player within the OTT online Indian entertainment industry, especially given the rapidly growing internet and mobile penetration within India.

We will also continue to expand Eros Now’s reach beyond audiences in India through strategic collaborations such as our partnership with Apple to distribute Eros Now content on all Apple devices in multiple countries outside of India.

Capitalize on positive industry trends driven by roll-out of high speed 4G services in the Indian market.

PropelledDriven by the economic expansion within India and the corresponding increase in consumer discretionary spending, the FICCI Indian Media and Entertainment IndustryFICCI-EY Report 2018 (FICCI Report 2018)2020 projects that the dynamic Indian media and entertainment industry will grow at a 11.3% compound annual growth rate, or10.0% CAGR, from $22.7 billionINR 1.674 trillion in 20172018 to $31.3 billionINR 2.416 trillion by 2020,2022, and that the Indian filmdigital media industry will grow from $2.4 billion in 2017 to $3.0 billion in 2020.at a 23% CAGR over the same period. India is one of the largest and most prolific film markets in the world.world as measured by output and remains underpenetrated compared to other established cinema markets such as the US and UK. Ticket prices in India remain at lower levels than other cinema markets globally and have room to increase. In fiscal 2018year 2019 the average ticket price amongst the two leading multiplex cinema chains in India, Inox Leisure Limited and PVR Limited, was $3.11 compared$2.70, based on information publicly disclosed by them. This compares to $2.88average ticket prices in the US of $9.16 during fiscal 2017, a 7.8% increase year-on-year.

year 2019.

The Indian television market is the second largest in the world after China, reaching an estimated 183175 million television or TV householdsviewers in 2017. FICCI2019. The FICCI-EY Report 20182020 projects that the Indian television industry will grow from $10.2$9.9 billion in 20172018 to $13.3$11.8 billion in 2020.2022. The growing size of the television 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 for content distribution in India. According to exploit content. As per the latest Telecom Regulatory Authority ofa recent Cisco report, India report, there were over 1.2 billion wireless subscribers in India at the end of February 2018. The number of wirelessis forecasted to have approximately 907 million internet users by 2023, a large increase from 398 million internet users in 2018. According to a recent EY FICCI report, by 2025 there are expected to be one billion “screens” in India, is likely to exceed 829of which 250 million by 2021. The adoption of 4G is gradually increasing and now 3G and 4G constitute over 75 % of the overall wireless internet user base. Online video audience in the countryscreens would be television-sized while 750 million would be smart phones. This is expected to reach 500result in a continued growth in demand for content – both long form, episodic and short form – as well as provide significant opportunities for content creators currently there are approximately 550 million by 2020 from 250 milliontelevision and smart phone consumers in 2017, a 2x growth driven by rapidly increasing mobile penetration, increasing Internet speeds, advent of 4G and falling data charges. By 2020, India, is expectedWe aim to become the second largest video-viewing audience globally.

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.

 

Disclaimer:The exceptional circumstances brought about by coronavirus have led to the suspension of FICCI Frames. This report and the forewords were written before this development took place. We are not yet in a position to accurately quantify the deep impact which the coronavirus will have on the media ecosystem and we will come back to the investor community when we are in a better position to articulate the impact with updated future forecasts.

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.


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Our growth from non-diaspora international markets shows a growing appetite for the content of the Indian Film Industry in many new markets. One of our strongest potential markets, China, with a market size of $6.2 billion and almost 41,000 screens, is projected have more than 80,000 screens, nearly twice as many as the United States by FY2021. 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 step in maximizing our opportunity in China. The studio is also expanding into new film markets, which includes entry into China. We entered the China market in fiscal year 2018 by releasingBajarangi Bhaijaan across more than 8,000 screens in March 2018 and has grossed approximately $45 million at the box office. 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 Chinese and Hindi.

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. WeTo that end, we have also entered into arrangements with local distributors in Taiwan, the Middle East, Japan, South Korea, and China to distribute dubbed or subtitled Eros films through theatrical release, television broadcast or DVD release. The MENA (“Middle East North Africa”) market represents a compelling market opportunity given the consumer trends, attractive demographics and Eros’ historic presence in the market and numerous distribution partnerships including with Etisalat and Ooredoo. 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. In Russia, we recently partnered with Central Partnership, an affiliate of Gazprom Media, to promote and distribute Indian and Russian content across multiple platforms in both countries.

Expand our regional Indian content offerings.

We continue to be committed to promoting regional content films and growing the regional movie industry. 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.

Our regional language films include Marathi, Malayalam, Punjabi, Kannada and Bengali films. Our Malayalam filmPathemarihad 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 films 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 theco-production, acquisition and distribution of a diverse portfolio of Indian language and themed films that we believe will have a wide audience appeal. ForOf the 30 films we released in fiscal 2018, our releases included 14 new2020, eight were Hindi films, of which one was high budgeta Tamil film and onetwenty-one were regional films. Of the 72 films we released in fiscal year 2019, fifteen were Hindi films, seven was Tamil language film.Tamil/Telugu films and fifty were regional 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.language. 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. 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 with various budgets to create a slate that will attract varying segments of the audience. The remainder of the slate consists of Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and other language films of a lower budget.

We are focusingfocus on content driven films with appropriate budgets in order to generate an attractive rate of return. Wereturn and seek to mitigate the risks associated with high budget filmsfilm budgets through the use of our extensive pre-sale strategies. weWe have increased our focus on Tamil and Telugu films for similar reasons. In addition, we can release a Tamil andOur 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 five high and medium budget films in fiscal 2018, of which four were Hindi and one was Tamil film and fifteen high budget and medium films in fiscal 2017, of which eight were Hindi, three Tamil two were Telugu and two were regional films.


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

Selected Hindi Releases in fiscal 2018 (a)

FilmCast/(Director)GenreActual Month 
of Release
Sarkar 3Amitabh Bachchan, Amit Sadh, Ronit Roy, Yami, Jackie Shroff (Ram Gopal Verma)DramaMay 2017
Munna MichaelTiger Shroff, Nidhhi Agerwal, Nawazuddin Siddiqui (Sabbir Khan)ActionJuly 2017
SniffKhushmeet Gill, Surekha Sikri, Manmeet Singh among others (Amole Gupte)Kid's actionAugust 2017
Shubh Mangal SavdhaanAyushman Khurana, Bhumi Pednekar (Prasanna / Colour Yellow Productions)Romantic comedySeptember 2017
NewtonRajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi and Raghubir YadavDrama / ComedySeptember 2017
MukkabaazVineeth Kumar & Zoya (Anurag Kashyap / Colour Yellow Productions)Sports dramaJanuary 2018

(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 24 films in fiscal 2018 of which 14 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, Bengali and Punjabi.

Selected Tamil, Telugu and other regional language releases in fiscal 2018 (a)

FilmCast/(Director)GenreActual Month 
of Release
Oru Kidayin Karunai Manu (Tamil)Vidharth, Raveena Ravi (Suresh Sangiah)DramaJune 2017
Tujha Tu Majha Mi (Marathi)Lalit Prabhakar, Neha Mahajan (Kuldeep Jadhav)RomanceJune 2017
Posto (Bengali)Soumitra Chatterjee, Lily Chakraborty (Shibhoprasad Mukherjee & Nandita Roy)Drama/FamilyMay 2017
Rang Be Rang Er Kori (Bengali)Rituparna Sengupta, Arunima Ghosh (Ranjan Ghosh)DramaMarch 2018
Viswa Vikhyatharaya Payyanmar (Malayalam)Deepak Parambol, Aju Varghese, Sudhi KoppaRomance/ComedyOctober 2017

(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 24 films in fiscal 2018 of which 10 were regional films.

our Tamil films are predominantly star-driven action or comedy films, which appeal to audiences distinct from audiences for more romance- focusedromance-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 also believe that 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, Kannada and Punjabi. In addition, the key Indian release dates for films, during school and other holidays, vary by region and therefore theour 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 our films can be successfully released. We intend to steadily build up our portfolio of films targeting other regional language markets gradually.markets.

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Our Business

Selected Major Releases in fiscal 2019(a)

FilmCast/(Director)
Meri Nimmob)Anjali Patil, Karan Dave (Rahul Sanklya / Colour Yellow Productions)
Bhavesh JoshiHarshvardhan Kapoor (Vikram Motwane / Phantom Films)
ManmarziyaanAbhishek Bachchan, Vicky Kaushal, Tapsee Pannu (Anurag Kashyap / Colour Yellow Productions)
Happy Pill (Bengali)Ritwick Chakraborty, Sohini Sarkar (Mainak Bhowmick)
Happy Phir Bhaag JayegiSonakshi Sinha, Abhay Deol, Jimmy Shergill (Mudassar Aziz / Colour Yellow Productions)
Haathi Mere Saathi (Hindi / Tamil / Telugu)Rana Dugabatti, Pulkit Samrat, Zoya Hussain, Kalki Koechlin (Prabhu Soloman)
KaptanSaif Ali Khan, R Madhavan, Sonakshi Sinha (Navdeep Singh / Colour Yellow Productions)
Saakshyam (Telugu)Bellamkonda Sreenivas and Pooja Hegde (Sriwass / Abhishek Pictures )
Mumbai Pune Mumbai 3 (Marathi)Swapnil Joshi, Mukta Barve

______________

(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.”
(b)Direct-to-Digital Release

Seasonality

Theater attendance in India has traditionally been highest during school holidays, national holidays and during festivals, and we typically aim to release high 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, thatwhich is usually owned by a top Indian actor, director or writer, on a project by projectproject-by-project basis. We regularly co-produce and acquire film content from some of the leading banners in India. WeIndia, and continue to be focusedfocus on ramping up our own productions and co-productions through key partnerships. These partnerships include the ones we haveour partnership with - talented producer-director, Aanand L Rai (Colour Yellow Production)Productions), which has released a range of films across budgets, genres and our recently announcedlanguages; and co-production partnership with Reliance Industries Ltd, India’s largest private sector company,screen writer and director V. Vijayendra Prasad.

Moreover, we are continuing to jointly produce and consolidatefocus on expanding the reach of our content from across India. The new partnership will equally invest up to $150 million to produce and acquireby further penetrating the China market, which we believe is a significant market for Indian films, and digital originals across all languages. We have also partneredreleasing more dubbed and subtitled content to new markets beyond China. To that end, in April 2019 we released Andhadhun, a dark comedy crime thriller, in China in collaboration with Phars Film, one of the UAE’s largestTang Media Partners, a leading Chinese film distribution and exhibition network. We also intend to also partner with Pana Film, one of the largest Turkish film studios for Indo-Turkish co-productions. Thesedistributor. In addition, these strategic partnerships not only help us augment our in-house content production modelcapacity but also expands our geographical canvas for content monetization.

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 twenty20 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. For co-produced films, we typically have exclusive distribution rights for at least twenty20 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 in our analysis focused on the likelihood of the financial success of each project. Our management is extensively involved in the selection of our high budget films in particular.

Regardless of whether a film will be acquired or co-produced, we determine the likely value to us of the rights to be acquired for each film based on a variety of factors, including the stars cast, director, composer, script, estimated budget, genre, track record of the production house, our relationship with the talent and historical results from comparable films. We follow a disciplined green lighting process involving extensive evaluation of films involving track records, revenue potential and costs before green lighting by a committee led by senior management and business leaders. The Company also has risk sharing contracts with talent and key stakeholders to ensure risk diversification. 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, sincesimultaneously. Since the producer or co-producer takes the lead on the time intensive process of production, allowing uswe are able to scale our film slate more effectively. The following table summarizes the typical terms included in our acquisition and co-production contracts.

 

Acquisition

Acquisition

Co-production

Film CostNegotiated “market value”Actual cost of production or capped budget and 10-15%10–15% production fee
Rights10 years-20years–20 yearsExclusive 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 Terms10-30%10–30% upon signature
Balance upon delivery or in installmentsinstalments between signing and delivery
In accordance with film budget and production schedule
Recoupment Waterfall“Gross” revenues
Less 10-20%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

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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 installmentsinstalments 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 twenty20 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 for each of the co-produced films, 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
·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 digital, 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 over 3,000 films, including recent and classic titles that span different genres, budgets and languages. Eros Now has rights to over 11,00012,000 films, out of which around 5,000 films are owned in perpetuity, 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. Our film library has been built up over more than 40 years and includes hits from across that time period, including, among others, Pati patni aur who, Andhadhun, Boyz 2, Newton, Munna Michael, Subh Mangal Saavadhan, Ki & Ka, Housefull 3, Dishoom, Baar Baar Dekho, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Bajirao Mastani, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, NH10, Badlapur, Devdas,Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam,Lage Raho Munna Bhai,Vicky Donor, English Vinglish, andGoliyon 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 40 to 50 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.


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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 55% 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, Kannada 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.

Award winning content/franchise

A summaryOur film releases frequently receive awards and accolades. For instance, our Hindi release Newton was selected as India’s official entry for the Best Foreign Film language category at the 2018 Academy Awards. It also received accolades at the Berlin Film Festival. We have won 218 awards in fiscal years 2015, 2016, 2017,2018 and 2019, including Studio of certain key featuresthe Year. Some of our film library rights as of March 31, 2018 follows below.

  Hindi Films Regional Language Films
(excluding Kannada films)
 Kannada Films
       
Approximate percentage of total library 17% 67% 16%
       
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:22%
2021-2025: 39%
2026-2030: 25%
2031-2045: 2%
Perpetual rights, subject to applicable copyright law limitations: 12%
 2020 or earlier: 20%
2021-2025: 16%
2026-2030: 6%
2031-2045: 1%
Perpetual rights, subject to applicable copyright law limitations: 57%
 Perpetual rights, subject to applicable copyright law limitations: 100%
       
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% Not applicable
       
Date of first release (by Eros or prior rights owner) 1933-2018 1935-2018 *
       
Rights in major distribution channels Theatrical: 21%
Television syndication: 21%
Digital: 92%
 Theatrical: 10%
Television syndication: 13%
Digital: 94%
 Digital: 100%
       
Music Rights (approximate percentage of films) 10% 13% 0%
       
Production Years (approximate percentage of films produced in the periods indicated) 1933-1965: 13%
1966-1990: 19%
1991-2000: 7%
2001-2018: 61%
 1933-1965: 3%
1966-1990: 26%
1991-2000: 22%
2001-2018: 49%
 *

* 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 notoriginal digital series from fiscal year 2018 and fiscal 2019 that won awards include Side Hero, Smoke, Mukkabaaz, Newton, Shubh Mangal Savdhaan and Munna Michael. Side Hero won three awards including Best Web Series and Best Actor. Smoke received Best Launch of the Year at The ET Now - Stars of the Industry Awards. Mukkabaaz won three awards including Best Director and Best Actor. Newton won 13 awards including Best International Film. Shubh Mangal Savdhaan won four awards including Marketing Campaign of the Year. Munna Michael won two awards including Best Social Media Marketing Campaign. Our films over the years have won various awards in our records.multiple categories such as Best Film, Best Director, Best Story, Best Actor, Best Music, Best Special Effects awards, and Innovative Launch Campaign of the Year and Best Child Actor awards, to name a few. Bajrangi Bhaijaan won 37 awards including National Award for Popular Film. Bajirao Mastani won over 79 award titles including National Award for Best Director. Tanu Weds Manu Returns won 19 awards including National Award for Best Female Actor in a leading role, Hero won seven awards and Badlapur won seven awards. Our Malayalam film Pathemari had also won a national award for Best Malayalam Film.


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 month12-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 twelve12 months following theatrical release of one of our films.

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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 2020, 2019 and 2018 2017 2016 is set forth below:

  Year ended March 31, 
  2018  2017  2016 
Global (India and International)            
Hindi films  10   8   27 
Regional films (excluding Tamil films)  3   12   6 
Tamil films  1   3   8 
International Only            
Hindi films  1   3   5 
Regional films (excluding Tamil films)        - 
Tamil films     12   10 
India Only            
Hindi films  3   1   1 
Regional films (excluding Tamil films)  6   5   5 
Tamil films  0   1   1 
Total  24   45   63 

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

  Year ended March 31, 
  2020  2019  2018 
Global (India and International)            
Hindi films  2   7   10 
Regional films (excluding Tamil films)  21   49   3 
Tamil films     3   1 
International Only            
Hindi films  6   7   1 
Regional films (excluding Tamil films)         
Tamil films        - 
India Only            
Hindi films     1   3 
Regional films (excluding Tamil films)  1   5   6 
Tamil films     -   0 
Total  30   72   24 

We distribute content in over 50 countries through our own offices located in key strategic locations across the globe. 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 Chinese film companies. In addition to our internal distribution resources, our global distribution network includes relationships with distribution partners, sub- distributors,sub-distributors, producers, directors and prominent figures within the Indian film industry and distribution arena.


Theatrical Distribution and Marketing

Indian Theatrical DistributionIndia 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. UtilizationUtilisation 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.

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India is divided into 14 geographical regions commonly known as “Film Circuits” or “Film Territories” in the Indian Film Trade.film business. 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 distributorsub-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 base 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. To date, our agreements have been on terms that are no less favorablefavourable 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 Erosour 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.

International DistributionDistribution.. Outside of India, we licensedistribute our films theatrically through our offices in Dubai, Singapore, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and through sub-distributors in other markets. In our international markets, instead of focusing on wide releases, we select a smaller number of theatres that play films targeted at the expatriate South Asian population or the growing international audiences for Indian film content to content aggregator to reach cable and pay TV subscriber and 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.films. 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 componentgenerally theatrically release subtitled versions of our overall pre-sale strategy. We believe that our international distribution capabilitiesfilms internationally on the release date in India, and large librarydubbed versions of content enable us to generatefilms in countries outside India 12-24 weeks after their initial theatrical release in India sometimes after a larger portion of our revenue through international distribution.long gap.

Marketing. The marketing campaign of a film is an integral part of the overall theatrical distribution strategy. It typically starts before the film goes into production with maximum impetusthe marketing campaign peaking closer to the release of the film. Our marketing team creates a 360 degree campaign with specific emphasis across various media platforms, - PR, Music, Digital, On ground, Brand Partnerships, Tie Ups etc.including carrying out public relation campaigns and utilizing print, brand partnerships, music pre-releases, print and outdoor advertising, brand partnerships and marketing on various social media and other digital platforms. Each film campaign is unique and has a strategic, targeted approach based on the genre, talent involved, positioning of the movie, target group and overall strategy. EachIn addition, prior to the release of a film, asset – Poster, Teaser, Trailer, Song etc is launchedwe introduce various film assets, including posters, teasers, trailers and mounted in an innovative waysongs to create specific buzz and traction aroundgenerate momentum for the asset and therelease of a film.


The campaign is driven through strategic partnerships across Digital, TV, Radio, Print, Theatre and Brands to maximize visibility of the movie and drive box office conversions. The endeavor is to market the movie with minimum costs getting maximum mileage through strategic associations across mediums

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.Australia. Occasionally, sub-distributors manage marketing efforts in regions that do not have a dedicated Eros team, using the creative aspects developed by us for our marketing campaigns. Managing marketing locally permits us to more easily identify appropriate local advertising channels and results in more effective and efficient marketing.

Television Distribution

India Distribution.We believe that the increasing television audience in India creates new opportunities for us to license our film content, and expands audience recognition of the Eros name and film products. We license Indian film content (usually a combination of new releases and existing films in our library), to satellite television broadcasters operating in India under agreements that generally allow them to telecast a film over a stated period of time in exchange for a specified license fee. We have, directly or indirectly, licensed content for major Indian television channels such as Colors, Sony, the Star Network and Zee TV.

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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 2018, we had pre-sales visibility for some of our films such asMunna Michael,Sarkar 3, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan. For fiscal 2017, pre-sales from sale of satellite television rights was achieved for our films such asHousefull 3, Dishoom, Baar Baar Dekho, Rock On 2, Banjo, Ki & Kaalong with some regional films. In fiscal 2017, for our two high budget Hindi films we had recouped 31% to 57% of the direct production cost through television and other pre-sales and had recouped 108% and 93% of our direct production cost of the two Telugu films released through contractual commitments prior to the films releases, and 96% of our direct production cost of one Tamil film released through contractual commitments prior to the film’s release.

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 to content aggregators to reach cable and pay subscribers and 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) and National TV (Romania), amongst others.world. 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 towardtowards the adoption of 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.

In North America, we have an agreement with International Networks, a subsidiary of Comcast, to provide aan SVOD service fully branded as ‘Eros Now’.“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. In Canada, Eros haswe have signed a Program License Agreement for various movies with Rogers Broadcasting Limited. In Europe, we have recently partnered with My Digital Company (France), ESC Distribution (France) and MT Trading Ug (Germany).

Eros Now

As per To maximize the latest Telecom Regulatory Authorityreach of India report, there were over 1.2 billion wireless subscribersdigital content, we currently have collaborations and partnerships in India and globally with market-leading telecommunications operators, OEMs and digital distribution entities to make available our digital service Eros Now across global audiences. Our partners include, among others, major telecommunications providers such as Airtel, Reliance Jio, Etisalat, Ooredoo, Vodafone and many more as well as streaming service providers such as Amazon Channels, Apple+ Channels, Youtube, Virgin Media, Roku, Sony TV and a plethora of connected devices.

Market opportunity

Domestic: Our distribution capabilities enable us to target a majority of the 1.3 billion people in India. Recently, as demand for regional films 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 overseas. With our distribution network for Hindi, Tamil and Telugu films, we believe we are well positioned to expand our offering of non-Hindi content.

Overseas: Depending on the film, the distribution rights we acquire may be global, international or India only. 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 include Germany, Poland, Russia, France, Italy, Spain, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, China, the Middle East and Latin America among others. In all these markets, it is the locals who are neither English nor Hindi speaking who view the content of the Indian film in a dubbed or subtitled version in their language, similar to the manner in which they view Hollywood content. Additionally, there is a large established Indian diaspora in North America which has a strong interest in the content of the Indian film industry. Other international markets that exhibit significant demand for subtitled or dubbed Indian-themed entertainment include Europe and Southeast Asia.

In addition, China is increasingly becoming an important market, and we expect to release select films from our slate for wider release into China. We recently released Andhadhun in China in collaboration with a leading Chinese film distributor Tang Media Partners. In March 2018, we released Bajrangi Bhaijan across more than 8,000 screens, including in China, and collected over $45 million at the endbox office in China, which we believe indicates a clear interest in Indian films by Chinese movie goers. As part of February 2018. The numberour strategy to penetrate further into the Chinese market, Eros Now has partnered with iQiyi, one of wirelessChina’s largest online video sites, through a content licensing arrangement in September 2018, making us the first South Asian OTT platform operator to have direct access to the Chinese market.

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Eros Now Market Opportunity: Eros Now is uniquely positioned to benefit from the fast-growing internet and mobile penetration in India. A recent Cisco Annual Internet Report predicts that there will be over 907 million internet users and 966 million mobile users in India is likely to exceed 829 million by 2021.2023. The adoption of 4G is gradually increasing and now 3G and 4G constitute over 75 %75% of the overall wireless internet user base. Online video audience inInitiatives such as broadband rollout and public Wi-Fi as part of the country is expected to reach 500 million by 2020 from 250 million in 2017, a 2x growth driven by rapidly increasing mobile penetration, increasing Internet speeds, adventgovernment’s Digital India campaign and the promotion of 4G data packs by leading telecoms help boost the quality of digital infrastructure in India. We plan to take advantage of this growth and falling data charges. By 2020,continue to grow Eros Now’s paying user base in India is expected to become the second largest video-viewing audience globally.and internationally.

Eros Now

With falling smartphone prices, reduced data costs,a significant portion of the Indian and international population moving towards the adoption of digital technology, we are increasing mobile data speedour focus on providing on-demand services via Eros Now, which leverages its extensive digital film and music libraries to stream a wide range of content. Users can access Eros Now through APPs, WAP and the flexibility of viewing contentinternet in India and around the world. As at any hour of the day, OTT platforms are fast becoming favoured entertainment destination for youth. In fact, currently, 80% of the OTT content consumers are under 30 years of age and are starting to pay a premium for their choice of content according to the FICCI Report 2017. As of March 31, 2018,2020, Eros Now has exceeded 100had over 196.8 million registered users and 7.929.3 million paying users worldwide, across APP, WAPcompared to 155 million registered users and Web. This growth represents a 58% increase over the last reported quarter and a 276% increase from 2.118.8 million paying subscribers in fiscal year 2017.as of March 31, 2019, representing increases of 27% and 56% respectively. We define paying subscribers to mean any subscriber who has made a valid payment to subscribe to a service that includes Eros Now services as part of a bundle or on a standalone basis, either directly or indirectly through an Original Equipment Manufacturer (“OEM”)OEM or mobile telecom provider in any given month, be it through a daily, weekly or monthly billing pack, as long as the validity of the pack is for at least one month.pack. Eros Now users have demonstrated some of the highest levels of engagement in the India OTT space. Average session time for an engagedAccording to a published report by Counterpoint, Eros Now user is over 40 minutesusers are the most engaged wherein 68% access the platform daily and 59% of Tier 2 and Tier 3 users are in the age group of 24-39 in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities of India which is an industry high.

the highest amongst all Indian OTT services.

We believe Eros Now has the largest movie Indian language movie content library worldwide with over 11,00012,000 digital titles, out of which approximately 5,000 films are owned in perpetuity. Eros Now also has a deep library of short-form content, totalling over 4,400 short-form videos including music videos, trailers, original shortshorts exclusive interviews and marketing shorts. During fiscal year 2020 Eros Now digitally released a total of 630 films in 12 different Indian languages. Over the same period over 8,000 music audio and video files were released on Eros Now as well as over 500 units of short form and Eros Now Originals & Quickie content. Since inception, we have digitally premiered (first ever digital release) over 250 films on the Eros Now platform, and also introduced the concept of theatrical films launching on OTT prior to its satellite premiere, which is a testament to the strength of our platform and breadth and depth of our offering. As of March 31, 2020, Eros Now achieved over 196.8 million registered users across Apps, WAPs and the Eros Now website, and 29.3 million paying subscribers.

 

To maximize the reach of Eros Now, made its IPL debutwe currently have partnerships and strategic collaborations globally with telecommunications operators, OEMs and streaming services providers to offer Eros Now content to their users and subscribers. For instance, we recently announced our arrangement with Apple to make Eros Now available on the new Apple TV app. Eros Now is also available to customers of Reliance Jio, a major Indian mobile network operator owned by Reliance and BSNL, an Indian state-owned telecommunications company in Season 11accordance with a recent agreement that we entered into with BSNL, as well as the title sponsor of Virat Kohli captained team, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The collaboration was a part of the company’s endeavour to build a truly digital video brand with Indian usersMalaysia-based Celcom and provide the best of entertainment the country has to offer. Keeping up with the FIFA World Cup fever, Eros Now launched Eros Now Betz, a unique app created for millions of football lovers globally. With Eros Now Betz, users were able to earn points for every correct prediction that they make while the matches are being played in real-time. The platform has also tied-up with brands across verticals like banking, lifestyleMaxis Berhad, Mauritius Telecom, Etisalat and food with State Bank of India (SBI), Gold's Gym, Paytm, Nature's Basket and Voonik.


Eros Now and Reliance Jio renewed their platform integration deal.Indonesia-based XL Axiata. Under the deal, Jiothese partnerships, subscribers gainedon these networks gain access to Eros Now’s high-qualityextensive content including full-length movies and thematically curatedthematically-created playlists along with functions such as multi-language subtitles for movies, music video playlists, regional language filters, video progression and a watch list of titles. Currently live on Samsung TV, Eros Now also entered into a strategic distribution partnership with Xiaomi, India’s leading smartphone brand for its smart Mi LED TVs. This distribution deal between Eros Now and Xiaomi is an extension of the immersive content experience that both partners offer. In addition, to that, Eros Now has entered the Sri Lankan market through a partnership with Dialog Axiata, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, and will be available on the Dialog ViU app.

Eros Now is also available onin the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for download and can be streamed on any device including Android, Amazon Fire TV stick, Android TV, Apple TV, Opera TV,All IoS enabled devices and Roku, making the entertainment experience platform agnostic. Having tie-upsEros Now has over 60 distribution partners around the world including Apple TV+, Amazon Channels, Virgin Media, Roku, Etisalat and xfinity.

Eros Now uses advanced technologies in the creation of content, giving each Eros Now original series or episode the same treatment a film receives in terms of detailing required from cinematography to production. In addition, Eros Now uses advanced technologies to allow its users easy manoeuvrability on its platform, including categorization, search ability and stacking of content under different domains.

In September 2019, we announced a ground-breaking commercial partnership with Microsoft with the goal of transforming the content streaming experience for consumers globally. This collaboration will help Eros Now develop a new intuitive online video platform to ensure seamless delivery of content across payment gatewayscountries and financial systems worldwide it giveslanguages. It will also create a seamless experience to the consumershost of new interactive voice offerings for paymentscustomers including video search experiences, voice search for video content across multiple Indian languages, and downloads.create personalized content. This collaboration will help our Eros Now platform enhance and strengthen its reach across globe and increase engagement with consumers.

 

Eros Now Originalshas been increasingly focused on delivering product features to further monetize its growing registered user base. For example, we have launched Eros Now Quickie, a platform where viewers can access quality short stories to further supplement our existing vast digital content library.

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The Eros Now platform also partners with leading companies in various industries other than entertainment in an effort to create vertical synergy and attract more users for its content. These companies cover industries including banking and lifestyle. For example, Eros Now has partnerships with three major electronic payment platforms, Paytm, CashKaro and Freecharge, so Eros Now can have access and advertise its services to the users of these payment platforms and its existing viewers can more easily purchase Eros Now content. In addition, Eros Now has partnerships with other brands like Cathay Pacific, Emirates, ICICI Bank, Grofers and a host of other brands.

 

In April 2018,At Eros Now successfully premieredwe have focused on the core of the video technology business actively and will continue to invest in development over the coming years. At. The helm of this initiative is our relationship with Microsoft to develop the next generation video technology backend to deliver language based content to audiences over the world, Our investments in remote villages in India wherein we enable Village Level Entrepreneurs to distribute Eros Now on Internet cards across the country, our relationship with Dolby and being the first partner to introduce Dolby Atmos and Vision on our applications for OTT customers, our strategic relationship with Epic Games and the work being done on Unreal Engine to revolutionize pre-visualization technology based content production.

The Indian audience’s propensity to consume content in local language has been increasing, and in recent times regional films are breaking language barriers as they cross over with dubbed versions to other markets especially the Hindi market. The regional industry also has strong releases in the next year and the market is only expected to expand further. Eros Now is well placed to capitalize on this growth given its first worldwide direct-to-digital original film 'Meri Nimmo', in association with acclaimed director Aanand L Rai, to positive critical reception. The platform is excited for itsstrong regional content library and slate of originals, withcompelling new regional content planned for release over the coming quarters.

Eros Now Originals

Eros Now’s various digital series, comprising a broad mix of genres from comedy to horror and crime thriller, have been well received by its viewers. Eros has a uniquely compelling slate of films and original series scheduled for release over the coming quarters, and we expect this to help drive continued growth in our Eros Now business as well as box-office revenue.

With compelling global concepts that will entertain audiences, are being produced internallyand productions in partnership with the best talent.talent available, we believe that Eros Now’s slate of original films and series will appeal to a wide range of audience. Over the next year,12 months, Eros Now is planning to launch an exclusive stable of feature films, made-for-digital originals films and over 20 original episodic programs, outsome including: Flesh by Siddharth Anand; Halahal by Zeishan Qadri; Bhumi by Pavan Kripalani; and a most awaited Season 2 of which threeour well-known series Metro Park. Over the past few months, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, we have released several pieces of original series - Flip, Smoke and Side Hero will be launched at the beginning of September. While films like Meri Nimmo and Toffee are livecontent on the Eros Now platform, upcoming titles like Blue Oak Academy, August 25th, Bhumi, Dashavatar, Minerva Mills Malady and Kurukshetra will range across genres of drama, comedy, thriller, crime, horror and mythology. These originals will have popular names like Rohan Sippy, Kunal Roy Kapoor, Rajat Kapoor, Siddharth Anand and Pavan Kriplani associated with them in various capacities. A selection of upcoming titles includes:

Smoke: An unflinching look at the politics within the drug mafia that resides in the intoxicant riddled underbelly of its tropical paradise, Goa. Smoke is lead by an all-star cast including Jim Sarbh, Gulshan Devaiah, Kalki Koechlin, Mandira Bedi, Tom Alter amongst others.

Blue Oak Academy: A teen-drama thriller that follows one young boy’s quest to exact revenge with the most prestigious academic institution of the nation.

Side Hero with Rohan Sippy: Featuring Kunaal Roy Kapur as a fictionalised version of himself – the less successful younger brother of a hotshot Bollywood producer and star – this comedy drama follows Kunaal trying to land a leading role in a bid to prove that his profession of acting is not just a ‘hobby.’

August 25th starring Rajat Kapoor (Short Film): A sci-fi drama that considers the possibility of time travel and the doors that might open up for mankind.

Flesh with Siddharth Anand: An eight-year-old girl goes missing and her NRI parents are forced to seek the help of a suspended female cop in their search for her. An ex-human trafficker is blackmailed to join the search or else risk his sinful past catching with him.

Swarajya: On the eve of India's independence, two senior civil servants in Nehru's government find themselves in the center of the storm, having to deal with myriad issues relating to the transfer of power and birth of a new nation.

Minerva Mills Malady: Following the Minerva Mills Case in the 1970s through the eyes of the petitioners.

Kurukshetra with Prakash Kovalamadhi: The tribals thought they were Gods. The army thought they were militants. What they turn out to be, are five children with ‘superpowers’ emerging from a genetic mutation. And with destinies that, almost uncannily, resemble the trajectory of the Mahabharata.

Hacked with Abbas Tyrewala: A young man must team up with the spirit of a dead hacker that haunts his new laptop to uncover the truth behind his killing, leading them to a bloody conspiracy of murdered nuclear scientists.

Physical and Other DistributionViral Wedding

We also distribute globally our film content through physical formats (DVDs and Video Compact Discs, or VCDs), in hotels and with 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 in servicing South Asian consumers internationally, we distribute to wholesalers & corner shop retailers and internet platforms such as Amazon, as well as supply local wholesalers and retailers. We also license content to third party distributors internationally to provide content dubbed in local languages for consumption by non-South Asian audiences.

Metro Park (Quarantine Edition), Date Gone Wrong (Quarantine Edition).

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 separateseparately 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 mobile operator platforms as well as streaming services such as Spotify, Saavn and YouTube 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 Novex, which monitors, collects and distributes royalties to its members.

During fiscal year 2020 we announced a transformational alliance between Eros Now and YouTube Music Premium. This was the first time ever, in any geography, that Google/YouTube had partnered with a SVOD OTT player for a joint bundling and marketing opportunity. In addition, Eros Now developed the customer journey to provision access to both products and leveraged our new payment funnel. The campaign was supported by a robust digital marketing push from both sides.


Impact of Covid-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and is likely to continue to have, a severe and unprecedented impact throughout the world. The COVID-19 outbreak and resulting measures taken by the Government of various countries to contain the virus have already significantly affected our business in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. Measures to prevent its spread, including government-imposed restrictions on social gatherings, have had a significant effect on theatrical exhibition in India and around the world. The content production sector has also been disrupted, resulting in delays in many ongoing productions. These factors are expected to impact future release of content across distribution windows including theatrical, television and digital. The pandemic has had a negative overall impact on our business operations. The continued closure of cinemas in India and around the world for an indefinite period of time has created an unprecedented uncertainty and as a result it is difficult for us to accurately predict operating results and cash flows in near-term.

During the period from March 31st, 2020 to June 30th, 2020, we had several theatrical film releases scheduled in India and overseas, namely ‘Haathi Mere Saathi’ in three languages (Hindi, Tamil and Telugu), ‘Shokuner Lobh’ (Bengali), amongst others. However, under the present circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken the decision to defer the release of these films indefinitely until the situation changes, so that the revenue opportunities from these films can be maximized and improve our cashflows to better serve our commitments to our stakeholders.

The onslaught of the COVID - 19 pandemic has changed the social lives of people across regions and economic sections. While traditional and outdoor mediums of distribution of content, such as cinema theatres, continue to be unavailable; the home consumption mediums, such as television channels and OTT platforms (digital platforms) have gained in popularity and viewership. Going forward, along with our industry peers, we have started to consider changes to various operational and legal aspects of the business, such as project timelines, production costs, schedules, legal commitments etc, in order to adjust to the 'new normal' being presented to the world.

Our OTT platform Eros Now, for which the majority of the content library comprises our own existing content and acquired content, has also started considering innovative ways of updating its existing content libraries. Given the rise in demand for content and increasing online viewership, and the disruption in production of new content, existing content is likely to become more valuable in the future which will benefit us.

We believe, but cannot guarantee, that the cinematic exhibition industry will ultimately rebound and benefit from pent-up social demand for out-of-home entertainment, as government restrictions are lifted and home sheltering subsides. However, the ultimate significance of the pandemic, including the extent of the adverse impact on our financial and operational results, will be dictated by the currently unknowable duration and the effect on the overall economy and of responsive governmental regulations, including shelter-in-place orders of the pandemic and mandated suspension of operations.

Given the above, while the media and entertainment sector is currently grappling with various challenging issues as people strive to return to normalcy, eventually our sector may be amongst the first to recover and continue to provide premium entertainment to consumers around the world.

 

Intellectual Property

As our revenues are primarily generated from commercial exploitation of our films and other audio and/or audio-visual content, our intellectual property rights are a critical component of our business. Unauthorized use/access of intellectual property, particularly piracy of DVDs and CDs, as well as on-line piracy through unauthorized streaming/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. In order to restrictfight against piracy, we participate directly and through industry organizations by way of actions including legal claims against persons/entities who illegally pirate our content. FurtherFurthermore, we also deal with piracy issues by promoting and marketing our films to the highest standards in order to ensure maximum viewership and revenues early in its release and shortening the period between the theatrical release of a film and its legitimate availability on DVD and VCD in the market. 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.

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Recently, there has been a rapid transition of consumer preference from physical to digital modes of consumption of film and related content via on-line, mobile and digital platforms. This has enabled our OTT platform “Eros Now”Eros Now to grow rapidly. However, this business facesrapidly, which subjects us to competition fromother such OTT platforms along with sites offering unauthorized pirated content. In order to tackle this issue of on-line piracy, we have adapted modernizedadopted Digital RightRights Management technology in order to ensure that our content is protected from unauthorized and illegal access and copying.


Copyright protection in India

The Indian Copyright Act, 1957 (as amended)amended from time to time) (“Copyright Act”Act), has prescribedprescribes provisionsinter alia relating to 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 and all other audio-visual content.original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic work. 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 such work by any person other than the author would not amount to infringement.

India is a signatory to number of international conventions and treaties that provides for universal provisions for protection and enforcement of Copyrights.copyrights. In addition to above, 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.

Recently, theThe 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 exhibition as part of the cinematograph film in a cinema hall) as mandated by the law.

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.

It is pertinent to note that piracy continues to be one of the major issues affecting the Indian Film Industry with an annual loss of substantial revenues, to the tune of around INR 180 Billionbillion every year. In an effort to protect their IP,Intellectual Property rights, filmmakers in India have started getting ‘John Doe’orders typically known as “John Doe” orders from court that putwhich is a pre-infringement injunction remedy provided to protect the onusintellectual property rights of the ISP to block access to websitescreator of artistic works, including movies and URL’s that facilitate pirated content.songs. We obtain similar protective orders from court for our films and also engage the services of a specialized anti-piracy agency to vigilantly monitor and take down on-line pirated content from our cinematograph films.

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.

 

Trademark protection in India:India

We use a number of trademarks in our business, all of which are owned by our subsidiaries. Our Indian subsidiaries currently own over 120 Indian registered trademarks and domain names, which are used in their business, including the registered trademark “Eros,” “Eros International,” “Eros Music,” and “Eros Now”.Now.” However, certain of our trademarks used in India are still under the process of registration. 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- consumingtime-consuming process, and there can be no assurance as to when any such registration will be granted.


The Indian Trade Marks Act, 1999, or the (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. The registration of certain types of trademarkmarks is prohibited, including where the mark sought to be registered is not distinctive.

Until recently, to obtain registration of a trademark in multiple countries, an applicant was required to make separate applications in different languages and countries 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.

In lieu of the above, the Trademarks Act 1999 of India was amended by the Trade Marks (Amendment) Act 2010, or the (the “Trademarks Amendment Act.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 trademark registrarRegistrar of Trademarks 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 Amendment Act, we have obtained trademarks in Egypt, the European Community, United Arab Emirates, Australia and the United States.

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Recently, inIn order to match the international standards of trademark protection and enforcement, and to speed up the trademark registration process the Trademark Rules, 2002 were amendedreplaced by the Trademark Rules, 2017. Some notable amendments were; reduction in the number of Trademark proceduralapplication forms; specific concessions in filing fees to Start Ups, Individuals and Small Enterprises and for e-filing; Expedited ProcessingEnterprises; expedited processing of Trademark Application;trademark application; registration of sound marks; etc.

Remedies for Infringement in Copyright Act and Trademark Act:Act

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’sIndustry’s has experienced robust growth over the last few years and the same is changing the competitive landscape. By opening up and relaxing the entry barriers for foreign investments in certain key areas of this industry, including the relaxation norms for the broadcasting sector (DTH, cable networks, internet & OTT Platforms etc.), the Government of India has provided the sector much needed impetus for growth. Several segments of the industry (such as broadcasting, films, sports and gaming) have especially undergone unprecedented advancements on multiple dimensions. The use of the latest technology in all phases of production, digitization and globalization of content, the availability of multiple revenue streams, financial transparency and corporatization have contributed towards the paradigm shift that the Media & Entertainment industry in India has witnessed over the last decade or so.

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 towardtowards 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 Inc. 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. Based on gross collections reported by comScore, our market share (asas an average over the preceding seven calendar years to 2017)2018 is 27%24% of all theatrically released Indian language films in the United Kingdom and the U.S..U.S. 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 11,000 films, out of which around 5,000 films are owned in perpetuity, 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. Our film library has been built up over more than 40 years and includes hits from across that time period, including among othersNewton, Shubh Mangal Savdhan, Ki & Ka, Housefull 3, Sardaar Gabbar Singh, , Dishoom Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Bajirao Mastani, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, NH10, Badlapur, Devdas,Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam,Lage Raho Munna Bhai,Vicky Donor, English Vinglish, andGoliyon 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 40-50 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, 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 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.

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 threeOn May 17, 2016, the putative class actions filed 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 thensubsequently consolidated with the other two actions on May 27, 2016. In general, theactions. The Court-appointed lead plaintiffs alleged that the Company, and in some cases also the Company's management, violated the federal securities laws by overstating the Company's financial and business results, enriching the Company's controlling owners at the expense of other shareholders, and engaging in improper accounting practices.

On April 5, 2016,filed a lead plaintiff and lead counsel were appointed in the now consolidated New York action. A single consolidated complaint was filed on July 14, 2016 and amended on October 10, 2016. The amended consolidated complaint alleged that the Company and certain individual defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but did not assert certain claims that had been asserted in prior complaints. The remaining claims were primarily focused on whether the Company and individual defendants made material misrepresentations concerning the Company'sCompany’s film library and materially misstated the usage and functionality of Eros Now, our digital OTT entertainment service. On September 25, 2017, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York entered a Memorandum & Order dismissing the putative class action with prejudice.


On October 23, 2017, lead plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal, individually and on behalf of the putative class, toAppeal. On August 24, 2018, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. The appeal does not disputeCircuit issued a summary order affirming the District Court’sdistrict court’s earlier dismissal, with prejudice, of lead plaintiffs’ allegations relating to the Company’s film library. The only remaining claim pertains to alleged misstatements concerning the usage and functionality of Eros Now.prejudice.

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On September 29, 2017, the Company filed a lawsuit against Mangrove Partners, Manuel P. Asensio, GeoInvesting, LLC, and other individuals and entities alleging the defendants and other co-conspirators disseminated material false, misleading, and defamatory information about the Company and are engaging in other misconduct that has harmed the Company. On May 31, 2018, the Company filed an amended complaint that added two new defendants and expanded the scope of the Company’s initial allegations. The amended complaint alleges that Mangrove Partners and many of its co-conspirators held substantial short positions in the Company'sCompany’s stock and profited when its share price declined in response to their multi-year disinformation campaign. The Company seeks damages and injunctive relief for defamation, trade libel, civil conspiracy, and tortious interference, including but not limited to interference with its customers, producers, distributors, investors, and lenders. On March 12, 2019, the Supreme Court of the State of New York entered a Decision and Order granting defendants’ motions to dismiss. On March 13, 2019, the Company filed a Notice of Appeal. The matter is ongoing.

Beginning on June 21, 2019, the Company was named a defendant in two substantially similar putative class action lawsuits filed in federal court in New Jersey by purported shareholders of the Company. The lawsuits allege that the Company and certain individual defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by making false and/or misleading statements regarding the Company’s accounting for trade receivables. On September 27, 2019, the putative class action filed in California was transferred to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.  On April 14, 2020, the three putative class actions were consolidated, and a lead plaintiff was appointed. On July 1, 2020, the court-appointed lead plaintiff filed a consolidated complaint.  The consolidated complaint expands the scope of the allegations.  The Company expects to file a motion to dismiss, which is due August 28, 2020.

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.

In fiscal 2015, Eros India and its subsidiaries received show causes notices and assessment order from the Commissioner of Service Tax (India)Authorities in India levying anamounts to be paid on account of several grounds of non-compliance with the Service Tax Laws. An amount aggregating to $61$56 million (including(net of monies paid under protest $1.8 including interest and penalty of $30 million)penalty) for the period April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2015periods under dispute on account of service tax arising on temporary transfer of copyright services and certain other related matters. The Companymatters have been considered contingent. Eros has filed an appeal against the said order before the authorities. Considering the facts and nature of levies and the ad-interim protection for service tax levy for a certain period granted by the HonourableHonorable High Court of Mumbai, the Group expects that the final outcome of this matter will be favorable. There is no further update on this matterthese matters as preliminary hearing is yet to begin. Accordingly, based on the assessment made after taking appropriate legal advice, no additional liability has been recorded in Group’s consolidated financial statements.

In fiscal 2015, Eros India and its subsidiaries received several assessment orders and demand notices from value added tax and sales tax authorities in India forIndia. Several revised orders have been received during the payment of amounts aggregatingyear. Eros has considered an amount equal to $3 million (including(net of monies paid under protest $0.1 million and including interest and penalties)penalty) for certain fiscal years between April 1, 2005 and March 31, 2011.the periods under dispute as contingent. Eros has appealed against each of thesethe orders outstanding, and such appeals are pending before relevant tax authorities. Though, there uncertainties are inherent in the final outcome of these matters, the CompanyGroup 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 India and its subsidiaries received several assessment orders and demand notices from Income Tax Authorities in India. The orders are on account of disallowance of certain expenditures claimed by the Company. Eros has considered an amount equal to $0.1 million for the period under dispute as contingent. Eros has contested the said cases and believes that there will not be any significant liability on the group as the misstatements were bonafide and without any wrongful intentions and do not invite penalty. However, uncertainties are inherent in the final outcome of these matters and hence, after taking appropriate legal advice, group has considered the amount as contingent liability.

 

Eros India 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,Rasleela-Ram-Leela, Munna Michael, Heer Ranjha (Ishak Di Misal), Sarkar 3, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Welcome Back, Sardar Gabbar Singh, Aligarh,and Housefull 3.

2.

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.

For instance, in relation to the film Goliyon Ki Rasleela-Ram-leela,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 are pending, we have obtained interimstay 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.heard. This film was released in November 2013.

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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 (save in relation to a public company);
(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;
(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.

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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.

Prior to 1998, the lack of industry status barred legitimate financial institutions and private investors from financing films. However, on May 10, 1998, the Indian film industry was conferred industry status by a press release issued by the Minister of Information and Broadcasting (MIB).

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in indian media and entertainment industry

Through the liberalization of the foreign exchange regulations, the Government of India has allowed 100 percent FDI in the film sector. For the purposes of FDI, film sector broadly covers film production, exhibition, and distribution, including related services and products. FDI in the sector is permitted without any prior approval from Government of India.

However, according to the recent amendments made by the Government of India in the FDI Policy, any entity situated in or a citizen of any country sharing a land border with India, including but not limited to China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar and Afghanistan, shall be required to get a prior approval from the Government of India for making any investment(s) in any entity in India (“Government Route”). This has been done to prevent any opportunistic takeover of any domestic firms amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Film Certification.The Cinematograph Act authorizes the Central Board of Film Certification (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/person exhibiting the 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;exhibition i.e. fit for “U” certificate; or
·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;child i.e. fit for “UA” certificate; or
·is suitable for public exhibition restricted to adults;adults i.e. fit for “A” certificate; or
·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;film i.e. fit for “S” certificate; or
·is suitable for certification in termsgrant of “U”, “UA” or “A” or “S” certificate, as the abovecase may be, 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.

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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.

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.

AThere are several draft bills proposing to replace and/or amend the Cinematograph Bill, 2013 has been prepared by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and isAct which are awaiting approval.

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.An act to consolidate and amend the laws relating to reorganisationreorganization and insolvency resolution of corporate persons, partnership firms and individuals in a time bound manner for maximisationmaximization of value of assets of such persons, to promote entrepreneurship, availability of credit and balance the interests of all the stakeholders including alteration in the order of priority of payment of Government dues and to establish an Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India.


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 labour related legislations may apply. Certain significant provisions of such labour related laws are provided below.herewith. 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.

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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.

 

Indian Takeover Regulations.The SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeover) Regulations, 2011 came into effect on October 22, 2011, which was last amended on August 14, 2017, 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 read with Companies (Amendment) Act 2017, 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%2% 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.


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.
     

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  Isle of Man Law Delaware Law
     
Removal of Directors 

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

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  Isle of Man Law Delaware Law
     
Cumulative Voting There is no concept of cumulative voting under Isle of Man law. Delaware law does not require that a Delaware corporation provide for cumulative voting. However, the certificate of incorporation of a Delaware corporation may provide that shareholders of any class or classes or of any series may vote cumulatively either at all elections or at elections under specified circumstances.
     
Shareholder Action
Without a Meeting
 A written resolution will be passed if it is consented to in writing by shareholders holding in excess of 50% 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.

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

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

 

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

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

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  Isle of Man Law Delaware Law
     
    

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

  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.

  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.


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 Prem Parameswaran, located at 550 County Avenue, Secaucus, New Jersey.

 

As of July 30, 2018,27, 2020, the Founders Group holds approximately 38.6%13.4% of our issued share capital, which comprise all of our B ordinary shares and certain A ordinary shares. Beech Investments Limited, a company incorporated in the Isle of Man, is owned by discretionary trusts that include Eros director Kishore Lulla as a potential beneficiary.

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The following diagram summarizes the corporate structure of our consolidated group of companies as of July 30, 2018:27, 2020:

 

Eros Organizational Chart (as of July 30, 2018)27, 2020)

 

 

(a)Eros India holds 100% of each of its Indian subsidiaries other than Big Screen Entertainment Private Limited (India) and Colour Yellow Productions Private Limited (India), and Eros International Distribution LLP.
(b)The group divested its entire 51% stake from Ayngaran group with effect from October 01, 2017.

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D. Property 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. Four 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 five properties in the United Kingdom, the United States and Dubai in connection with our international operations outside of India. Property and equipment with a net carrying amount of approximately $7.5$8.2 million (2017: $7.8(2019: $6.7 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.

 

LocationSizePrimary UseLeased / Owned
Mumbai, India13,992 sq. ft.Corporate OfficeOwned
Mumbai, India2,750 sq. ft.Studio PremisesLeased(1)
Mumbai, India8,094 sq. ft.Executive AccommodationLeased(1)
Mumbai, India17,120 sq. ft.OfficeLeased(1)
Mumbai, India1,000 sq. ft.Film Negatives WarehouseLeased
Mumbai, India100 sq. ft.Film Prints WarehouseLeased
Mumbai, India2,750 sq. ft.CorporateOwned
Delhi,Mumbai, India600900 sq. ft.Film Distribution OfficePrints WarehouseLeased
Kolkata,Mumbai, India6401200 sq. ft.Film Prints WarehouseLeased
Delhi, India600 sq. ft.Film Distribution OfficeLeased
Punjab, India438 sq. ft.Film Distribution OfficeLeased
Bihar, India1,130 sq. ftFilm Distribution OfficeLeased
Kerala, India1,800 sq. ftFilm Distribution OfficeLeased
Kerala, India1,500633 sq. ftFilm Distribution OfficeLeased
Chennai, India8,942 sq. ft.Corporate OfficeLeased
Delhi, India3,915841 sq. ft.Branch OfficeLeased
Bangalore,Mumbai, India1,5004,610 sq. ft.Executive AccommodationLeased(1)
Delhi, India994 sq. ft.Branch OfficeLeased
Bangalore, India5,100 sq. ft.Digital teamLeased
Dubai, United Arab Emirates5362,473 sq. ft.Corporate OfficeLeased
Dubai, United Arab Emirates7472,473 sq. ft.ftCorporate OfficeLeased
Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S.10,000 sq. ft.Corporate OfficeLeased(1)
London, England7,549 sq. ft.DVD WarehouseOwned
Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S.900 sq. ft.Corporate OfficeLeased
San Francisco, California, U.S.2,315 sq. ft.Digital teamTeamLeased

 

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

 

ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

Not applicable.

 

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.”


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OutlookOUTLOOK

 

Our primary revenue streams are derived from three channels: theatrical, television syndication and digital and ancillary. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018,2020, the aggregate revenues from theatrical, television syndication and digital and ancillary were $79.1$10.6 million, $97.2$7.1 million and $85.0$137.8 million, respectively, compared to $101.0 million, $88.0 million and $64.0 million, respectively, forrespectively. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.2019, the aggregate revenues from theatrical, television syndication and digital and ancillary were $69.5 million, $77.5 million and $123.1 million, respectively.

 

The contribution from these three distribution channels can fluctuate year over year and period over period based on, among other things, our mix of films and budget levels, and the size of our television syndication deals.

The significant componentdeals, the growth of the user base 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. With a focus on creating intellectual property in-house along with delivering wholesome entertainment to audiences, we have entered into key co-production partnerships with writers, producers and directors. Colour Yellow Production, a subsidiary of Eros India with Anand L Rai has announced film releases across budgets, genres and languages. These co-production model gives us better visibility on actual cost of production ensuring capped budgets and exclusive distribution rights, typically for at least 20 years. In February 2018, Reliance Industries Ltd (“Reliance”) agreed, subject to customary regulatoryNow OTT platform and other approvals, to purchase 5% of our A Ordinary shares at a price of $15 per share, which represents a premium of 18% over the last closing price before the date of announcement. At the same time, Eros India and Reliance announced an agreement to partner in India and formed Reliance Eros Productions LLP to jointly produce and consolidate content from across India. The new partnership will equally invest up to $150 million to produce and acquire Indian films and digital originals across all languages. This investment will dramatically scale Eros’ capabilities in content production, marketing, and distribution, and make new strides on the digital and content forefronts, benefitting from the platform synergies across technology, content and digital platforms. From fiscal 2019, the Groupfactors:

·Theatrical: Theatrical revenue largely includes revenues from multiplex cinema chains, single screen theaters and distributors situated in India. We anticipate that, as additional multiplex theaters are built in India, there will be increased opportunities to exploit our film content theatrically. Growth in multiplex cinema screens in India combined with an increase in average ticket prices will be the key drivers for future revenue growth. 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. With a focus on creating intellectual property in-house along with delivering wholesome entertainment to audiences, we have entered into key co-production partnerships with writers, producers and directors. This co-production model gives us better visibility on actual cost of production ensuring capped budgets and exclusive long-term distribution rights.

We also co-produce film releases with Mr. V. Vijayendra Prasad.

We believe China to be a significant market opportunity for Indianand currently growing our presence in China through theatrical and distribution of our films. As per information published by PricewaterhouseCoopers based on data fromAccording to the PwC Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2017,2019 China was the world’s second largest box-office market with revenue of USD 6.2bn$11.0 billion in 2016. It is a lucrative market for cinema with revenue expected to grow at a staggering 11.6% CAGR from US$6.2bn in 2016 to US$10.7bn by 2021. China had 41,056 cinema screens compared to 40,928 in the US in 2016 and by 2021, China will have more than 80,000 screens, nearly twice as many as the US.2019. In fiscal year 2017, a Hindi FilmDangalwasMarch 2018, we released in China across 9,000 screens and grossed about $180 million at the box office. Similarly,Seceret Superstar, another bollywood film released in China in 2017, grossed about $65 million within only 10 days of release at the box office and went on to become 2017’s second highest earner. Eros releasedBajarangiBajrangi Bhaijan across more than 8,000 screens, including in March 2018China, and collected over $45 million at the box office in China since its release, which we believe indicates a clear interest in China.Indian films by Chinese movie goers. We have also entered into film co-production arrangements with several well-established Chinese film companies and we also released Andhadhun in China in April 2019 which collected over $43 million in the Chinese box office in less than four weeks.

IncreasingIn addition to our global expansion, we expect to increase the number of Tamil and Telugu global releases in our film mix, allowswhich will allow us to expand our audience within significant regional markets.markets in India. 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.

A substantial portion of our revenue is also derived from television syndication. Because of increased demand for Indian film content on television in India asevolve due to the number of 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 adoptiongrowing importance 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. distribution.

·Television Syndication: A substantial portion of our revenue is also derived from licensing fees for television syndication of content to media companies such as satellite television broadcasters, direct-to-home channels and regional cable operators. Because of increased demand for Indian film content on television in India as the number of direct-to-home subscribers increases and the cable industry migrates towards digital technology, we expect demand for premium content such as movies to continue. 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 as a result.

·Digital and Ancillary: The remainder of our revenue is derived from digital distribution and ancillary products and services, which was our fastest growing revenue channel and we anticipate it will be a principal driver of our revenue growth for the foreseeable future. With a significant portion of the Indian and international population moving towards adoption of digital technology, we are increasing our focus on Eros Now, which leverages its extensive digital film and music libraries to stream a wide range of content. Users can access Eros Now through APPs, WAP and the internet in India and around the world, and we have partnerships with the major mobile network providers in India and several other countries, as well as television and mobile handset OEMs, to offer Eros Now to their subscribers. Eros Now is also available in the Apple “App Store” and Google “Play Store” for download and can be streamed on any internet enabled device, which makes the entertainment experience platform agnostic. We also recently announced our arrangement with Apple to make Eros Now content available on its new Apple TV app. Our OEM partners also include major device manufacturers such as Sony and Samsung.

Eros Now has been increasingly focused on delivering product features being truly platform agnostic and monetizing it’sto further monetize its growing registered user base. We also have an ad-supportedFor example, we recently launched Eros Now Quickie, a platform where viewers can access quality short stories to further supplement our existing vast digital content library. During fiscal year 2020 we announced a transformational alliance between Eros Now and YouTube portal site on GoogleMusic Premium. This was the first time ever, in any geography, that hosts an extensive collection of clips ofGoogle/YouTube had partnered with a SVOD OTT player for a joint bundling and marketing opportunity. In addition, Eros Now developed the customer journey to provision access to both products and leveraged our content. Accordingly, we anticipate that our revenue and costs associated withnew payment funnel. The campaign was supported by a robust digital distribution are likely to increase over time. marketing push from both sides.

Ancillary revenues also include all other revenues that are not theatrical or television, including licensing to airlines and cable operators.

operators, as well as provisioning of VFX (visual special effects) support to customers.

We anticipateexpect that our costs associated with the co-production and acquisition of film and digital original content are likely to increase over time as we continue to focus on content drivenmaking content-driven films and originals with appropriate budgets in order to generate an attractive rate of return. 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 year 2018,2020, we invested $186.8$265.3 million (of which cash outflow is $132.2 million) in film content and in fiscal year 2019,2021, we expect to invest approximately $200$150 to $250$160 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 policiesGoing forward, along with our industry peers, we have started to consider changes to various operational and legal aspects of the business, such as project timelines, production costs, schedules, legal commitments etc, in order to adapt to changes and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to our industry. Our OTT platform Eros Now, for which the majority of the content library comprises our own existing content and acquired content, has also started considering innovative ways of updating its existing content libraries. Given the rise in demand for content and increasing online viewership, and the disruption in production of new content, existing content is likely to become more valuable in the future which will benefit us.

 

OurWe believe, but cannot guarantee, that the cinematic exhibition industry will ultimately rebound and benefit from pent-up social demand for out-of-home entertainment, as government restrictions are lifted and home sheltering subsides. However, the ultimate significance of the pandemic, including the extent of the adverse impact on our financial and operational results, will be dictated by the currently unknowable duration and the effect on the overall economy and of responsive governmental regulations, including shelter-in-place orders of the pandemic and mandated suspension of operations.

During the period from March 31st, 2020 to June 30th, 2020, we had several theatrical film releases scheduled in India and overseas, namely ‘Haathi Mere Saathi’ in three languages (Hindi, Tamil and Telugu), ‘Roam Rome Mein’ (Hindi) and ‘Shokuner Lobh’ (Bengali) amongst others. However, under the present circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken the decision to defer the release of these films indefinitely until the situation changes, so that the revenue opportunities from these films can be maximized and improve our cashflows to better serve our commitments to our stakeholders.

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SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Overall considerations

The significant accounting policies that have been used in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are preparedsummarized below. Financial statements are subject to the application of significant accounting estimates and judgments. These are summarized in accordance withNote 37.

Significant new accounting pronouncements

Adoption of IFRS 16, "Leases"

On April 1, 2019, the Group adopted New accounting standard IFRS 16, "Leases". which specifies how to recognize, measure, present and disclose leases. The standard provides a single accounting model, requiring the recognition of assets and liabilities for all major leases previously classified as issued“operating leases”.

The Company applied the “Modified Retrospective Approach” on the date of initial application (April 1, 2019) and made cumulative adjustments to retained earnings. Accordingly, comparatives for the year ended March 31, 2019 have not been retrospectively adjusted.

As such the Company recognizes a lease liability and a corresponding right of use asset, at the lease commencement date. The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, based on the initial amount of the lease liability. The assets are depreciated to the earlier of the end of the useful life of the right-of-use asset or the lease term using the straight-line method as this most closely reflects the expected pattern of consumption of the future economic benefits. The lease term includes periods covered by an option to extend if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise that option. In addition, the right-of-use asset is periodically adjusted for certain re-measurements of the lease liability. There is no impact on transition in opening balance of retained earnings as at April 1, 2019 because of the transition method applied. Further comparatives were not restated.

Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements of the Group consolidates results of the Company and entities controlled by the IASB,Company and its subsidiary undertakings. The Group controls an entity where the group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power to direct the activities of the entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which requires managementcontrol is transferred to make estimates, judgmentsthe group. They are deconsolidated from the date that control ceases.

Inter-company transactions, balances and assumptions that affectunrealized gains on transactions between Group companies are eliminated. Unrealized losses are also eliminated unless the amountstransaction provides evidence of an impairment of the transferred asset. Amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Management considersfinancial statements of subsidiaries have been adjusted where necessary to ensure consistency with the following accounting policies to be critical because theyadopted by the Group.

Business combinations are important to our financial condition and results of operations and require significant judgment and estimates onaccounted for under the part of management in their application.acquisition method. The development and selection of these critical accounting policies have been determined by our management andacquisition method involves the related disclosures have been reviewed with the Audit Committee of our board of directors. For a summarymeasurement of all our accounting policies, see Note 3identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed, in the business combination at their fair values at the acquisition date, regardless of whether or not they were recorded in the financial statements of the acquiree prior to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing elsewhereacquisition. On initial recognition, the assets and liabilities of the subsidiary are included in this annual report.the consolidated statement of financial position at their fair values. 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. The excess of consideration transferred, amount of non-controlling interest in the acquired entity and acquisition date fair value of any previous equity interest in the acquired entity over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. If those amounts are less than the fair value of the net identifiable assets of the business acquired, the difference is recognised directly in profit or loss as a bargain purchase.

 


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.

Changes in ownership interests

The Group makes estimates and assumptions concerninggroup treats transactions with non-controlling interests that do not result in a loss of control as transactions with equity owners of 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 materialgroup. A change in ownership interest results in an adjustment tobetween the carrying amounts of the controlling and non-controlling interests to reflect their relative interests in the subsidiary. Any difference between the amount of the adjustment to non-controlling interests and any consideration paid or received is recognised in a separate reserve within equity attributable to owners of the Company

When the group ceases to consolidate the subsidiary because of a loss of control, any retained interest in the entity is remeasured to its fair value, with the change in carrying amount recognised in profit or loss. This fair value becomes the initial carrying amount for the purposes of subsequently accounting for the retained interest as an associate, joint venture or financial asset. In addition, any amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income in respect of that entity are accounted for as if the group had directly disposed of the related assets or liabilities. This may mean that amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income are reclassified to profit or loss.

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 liabilities withinallocation of resources by the Group’s chief operating decision maker, which is the Group’s CEO and MD. 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 yearinformation on an integrated basis for the Group as a whole. The management team also monitors performance separately for individual films for at least 12 months after the theatrical release. Certain resources such as publicity and advertising, and the cost of a film are highlighted below: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.

Revenue

 

Revenue from contracts are recognized only when the contract has been approved by the parties to the contract and creates enforceable rights and obligations.

 

Revenue is recognized netupon transfer of sales related taxes, when persuasive evidencecontrol of an arrangement exists, the fees are fixed or determinable, the product is deliveredpromised products or services have been renderedto customers in an amount that reflects the consideration which the Group expects to receive in exchange for those products or services. To ensure collectability of such consideration and collectabilityfinancial stability of the counterparty, the Group performs certain standard Know Your Client (KYC) procedures based on their geographic locations and evaluates trend of past collection from such locations.

Revenue is reasonably assured. measured based on the transaction price, which is the consideration, adjusted for any discounts and incentives, if any, as specified in the contract with the customer. Revenue also excludes taxes collected from customers. In case of variable consideration , the Group estimates, at the contract inception, the amount to be received using the “most likely amount” approach, or the “expected value” approach, as appropriate. This amount is then included in the Group’s estimate of the transaction price only if it is highly probable that a significant reversal of revenue will not occur once any uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. In making this assessment the Group considers its historical performance on similar contracts.

The Group considersrecognises contract liabilities for consideration received in respect of unsatisfied performance obligations and reports these amounts as other liabilities in the termsstatement of each arrangementfinancial position (see Note 24). Similarly, if the Group satisfies a performance obligation before it receives the consideration, the Group recognises either a contract asset or a receivable in its statement of financial position, depending on whether something other than the passage of time is required before the consideration is due

The transaction price, being the amount to determinewhich the appropriate accounting treatment.Group expects to be entitled and has rights to under the contract is allocated to the identified performance obligations. The transaction price will also include an estimate of any variable consideration where the Group’s performance may result in additional revenues based on the achievement of agreed targets.

 

The following additional criteria apply in respect of various revenue streams within filmed entertainment:

 

·In arrangements for theatrical distribution, 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 toas the Group.box office receipts gets accrued.

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·In arrangements for television syndication, license fees received in advance which do not meet all the above criteria, including commencement of the availability for broadcast under the terms of the related licensing agreement, are included in deferred incomecontract liability until the above criteria for recognition is met.  Further in arrangements where the license fees received in advance is for a period of 12 months or more from the commencement, the company computes significant discounting component at imputed rate of interest on advances received and recognizes within net finance cost in the statement of income.  Accumulated contract liability (deferred revenue) is recognized upon commencement of availability for broadcast.

·In arrangements for catalogue sales, the CompanyGroup recognizes revenue if revenue recognition criteria’s such as a valid sales contract exists, all films arecontent is delivered and the Companycustomer start generating economic benefits from them, the Group is reasonably certain on collectability, and the Company’sGroup’s contractual obligations are complete and are met. Considering the arrangement with catalogue customers provide for a contractual deferred payment terms up to a year and in many cases the payments often fall behind contractual terms, revenues from catalogue sales are recognized net of credit impairment lossfinancing component calculated at imputed market rate of interest on the gross receivables. The re-measurement of such credit impairment lossfinancing period at each balance sheet date and related gains or losses is recognized within administrative costs in the Statement of Income. The unwinding of the credit impairment loss reservesuch discount is recognized using effective interest rate within net finance cost in the Statement of Income.

·Digital and ancillary media revenues are recognized at the earlier of when the content is accessed or declared. Fees received for access to the specified and unspecified future content through digital and ancillary media, including usage of over-the-top platform developed by the Group, is recognized on straight line basis over the period of the service contract. Billing in excess of the revenue recognized is shown as deferred revenue.contract liability.

·DVD, CD and video distribution revenue is recognized on the date the product is delivered or if licensed in line with the above criteria. 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.
·In arrangement for production services, including visual special effects (VFX), and other technical services to clients, the Group recognizes revenue if revenue recognition criteria's such as a valid sales contract exists, IP is delivered and the Group is reasonably certain on collectability. Revenue is recognized as the services are delivered based on acceptance of the services performed by the customer.

 

Goodwill and trade nameOther income

 

The Group tests annually whether goodwill and trade name have suffered impairment, in accordance with its accounting policy. The recoverable amount of cash-generating unit has been determined basedDividend income is recognised when the Group’s right to receive the payment is established, which is generally when shareholders approve the dividend.

Interest income is recognized 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 takea time proportion basis taking 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 and value in use includes estimated growth rates, weighted average cost of capital and tax rates. As of March 31, 2018, 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 15% and terminal growth rate of 4%. As of March 31, 2018, 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 4% on the estimated total revenue for a period of four years, extrapolated for the fifth year, and, a pre-tax discount rate of 20% and terminal growth rate of 4%. These estimates, includes the methodology used, can have a material impact on the respective values and ultimately the amount of any goodwilloutstanding and tradename impairment.the effective interest rate applicable

 

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.Intangible assets

 

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 Group is required to identifyContent

Investments in films and assess the useful life of intangible assetsassociated rights, including acquired rights 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 ofdistribution advances made in respect of securing film content orcompleted 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 servicescost of talent associated with film production.

Accounting forcompleted rights over 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 contentestimated 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. Inyears, except where the caseasset is not yet available for exploitation. The average life of film content thatthe assets 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 policyremaining life of the content rights. The amortization charge is recognized in the consolidated statement of income within cost of sales. The determination of useful life is based upon factors suchmanagement’s judgment and includes assumptions on the timing and future estimated revenues to be generated by these assets, which are summarized in Note 37.3.

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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 below intangible assets ranges from 3-6 years. The amortization charge is recognized in the consolidated statements of income within administrative expenses as historical performancestated below:

Life of assetRate of
amortization
% straight line
per annum
Information technology assets3 years33
Other intangibles3 - 6 years17 – 33

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.

Information technology 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.

Impairment testing of similar films,goodwill, other intangible assets and property and Equipment

For the star powerpurposes 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 lead actorsrelated business combination and actressesrepresent the lowest level within the Group at which Management monitors the related cash flows.

Goodwill and others. Management regularly reviews,Trade names are tested for impairment at least annually. The Group has impaired Goodwill and revises when necessary,Trade names in its estimates,entirety during the previous fiscal year. 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 may resultthe 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 a changeuse 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 ratecash generating unit.

Film and content rights are stated at the lower of amortization and/orunamortized cost and estimated recoverable amounts. In accordance with IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, film content costs are assessed for indication of impairment on a write downlibrary 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.

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Property and equipment

Property and equipment are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Land and freehold buildings are recognised at fair value based on 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 recoverablerevalued amount. Increases in the carrying amount arising on revaluation of freehold land and buildings are credited to other reserves in shareholders’ equity through other comprehensive income. Decreases that offset previous increases are charged against other reserves.

 

The Group testsDepreciation is provided to write-off the cost of all property and equipment to their residual value as stated below:

Life of Asset

Rate of
depreciation
%
WDV
per annum

Freehold building 60 years2-10
Furniture and fittings and equipment5 years15-20
Vehicles and machinery3-5 years20-30

Material residual value estimates are updated as required, but at least annually, whether intangible assets have suffered any impairment, in accordance withor not 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.


Allowances for doubtful accountsrevalued.

 

The Group extends credit to customersAdvance 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.

Inventories

Inventories primarily comprise of music CDs and DVDs, 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 partiesoverhead costs. Costs 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.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturity of three months or less that 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 normal coursestatement of businessfinancial position.

Restricted deposits held with banks

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

Financial instruments

A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inabilitya financial liability or unwillingnessequity instrument of customers to make required payments. The Group bases such estimates on historical experience, existing economic conditions,another entity.

i.Recognition, initial measurement and derecognition

Financial assets and any specific customer collection issues the Group has identified. Uncollectible accounts receivablesliabilities are written off when a settlement is reached for an amount less than the outstanding balance orrecognized when the Group determines that the balance will not be collected. The allowance for doubtful accounts/bad debt for the year ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, was $4,740 and $2,430 respectively.

Credit impairment losses

In case of catalogue sales, the Group provides contractual deferred payment terms up tobecomes a yearparty to the trading partners. Further, in several instancescontractual provisions of the catalogue customers fall behind contractual payment terms. The Group estimates credit impairment losses based on historical experience of collection from catalogue customers multiplied by the incremental borrowing rate applicableinstrument. Financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at fair value. Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the groupacquisition or issue of similar class of customer. The credit impairment losses, net of unwinding thereof, recognized in the Statement of Income for the year ended March 31, 2018financial assets and March 31, 2017 was $10,193financial liabilities (other than financial assets and Nil, respectively.

Valuation of available-for-sale financial assets

The Group follows the guidance of IAS 39 – Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurementliabilities at fair value through profit or loss) are added to determine, where possible,or deducted from the fair value of its available-for-sale financial assets. This determination, including identification of objective evidence of impairment, 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 lessassets or more than its cost; the financial health of and near-term business outlook for the investee, including factors suchliability, as industry and sector performance, changes in technology and operational and financing cash flow.appropriate, on initial recognition.

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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 judgment is involved in determining the provision for income taxes including judgment 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.

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 28. The aforementioned inputs entered intransaction costs directly attributable to the option valuation model that we use to determine the fair valueacquisition of our share awards are subjective estimatesfinancial assets 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.

Business combinations and deconsolidation

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method under the provisions of IFRS 3 (Revised), “Business Combinations”. The cost of an acquisition is measured at the fair value of the assets transferred, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred at the date of acquisition. The cost of the acquisition also includes the fair value of any contingent consideration. Identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair value on the date of acquisition. Significant estimates are required to be made in determining the value of contingent consideration and intangible assets.

During fiscal 2018, the Group divested its 51 percent equity interest in Ayngaran Group to the non-controlling investee. The Group recorded the financial asset retained in the former subsidiary on deconsolidation at its fair value and recorded a loss of $0.5 million. The discounting of the financial asset was determined using associated credit risk for similar instrument.

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss are immediately recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

A financial asset is primarily derecognized (i.e. removed from the Group’s statement of financial position) when:

a)The rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired, or

b)The Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset t or has assumed an obligation to pay the received cash flows in full without material delay to a third party under a ‘pass-through’ arrangement and either (a) the Group has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, or (b) the Group has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, but has transferred control of the asset. .

A financial liability is derecognized when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled or expires.

ii.Classification and subsequent measurement of financial asset

For the purpose of subsequent measurement, financial assets are classified into the following categories upon initial recognition:

·Debt instruments at amortized cost
·Debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVTOCI)
·Debt instruments, derivatives and equity instruments at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)
·Equity instruments  designated at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVTOCI)
·Equity instruments measured at fair value profit or loss (FVTPL)

 

The Group hasclassification depends on the entity’s business model for managing the financial assets and the contractual terms of the cash flows.

Debt instruments at amortized cost

A ‘debt instrument’ is measured at the amortized cost if both the following conditions are met and is not designated as at FVTPL:

1.The asset is held within a business model whose objective is to hold assets for collecting contractual cash flows, and

2.Contractual terms of the asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest (“SPPI”) on the principal amount outstanding.

After initial measurement, such financial assets are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate (the “EIR”) method. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts future cash receipts or payments through the expected life of the financial instrument, or where appropriate, a shorter period.

Amortized cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortization is included in finance income/other income in the Consolidated Statement of Income. The losses arising from impairment are recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

Debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income

A ‘debt instrument’ is classified as at the convertible noteFVTOCI if both of the following criteria are met and is not designated as a financial liabilityat FVTPL:

1.The objective of the business model is achieved both by collecting contractual cash flows and selling the financial assets, and

2.The asset’s contractual cash flows represent SPPI.

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Debt instruments at fair value through profit or loss

FVTPL is a residual category for debt instruments. Any debt instrument, which does not meet the criteria for categorization as at amortized cost or as FVTOCI, is classified as at FVTPL. A gain or loss on a debt instruments that is subsequently measured at FVTPL is recognised in profit or loss and presented net within other gains/(losses) in the period in which it arises.

Equity instruments

All equity investments in scope of IFRS 9 are measured at fair value. Equity instruments which are held for trading are classified as at FVTPL with changes in the fair value at each reporting date recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

For all other equity instruments, the Group may make an irrevocable election to present in OCI, the subsequent changes in the fair value. The Group makes such election on an instrument-by-instrument basis. If the Group decides to classify an equity instrument as at FVTOCI, then all fair value changes on the instrument, excluding dividends and impairment loss, are recognized in OCI. There is no recycling of the amounts from the OCI to the Consolidated Statement of Income, even on sale of the investment. However, the Group may transfer the cumulative gain or loss within categories of equity.

iii.Impairment of financial assets

In accordance with IFRS 9, the Group applies the expected credit loss (“ECL”) model for measurement and recognition of impairment loss on financial assets and credit risk exposures.

ECL is the difference between all contractual cash flows that are due to the Group in accordance with the contract and all the cash flows that the entity expects to receive (i.e., all cash shortfalls), discounted at the EIR of the instrument. Lifetime ECL are the expected credit losses resulting from all possible default events over the expected life of a financial instrument. The 12-month ECL is a portion of the lifetime ECL which results from default events that are possible within 12 months after the reporting date.

The Group follows ‘simplified approach’ for recognition of impairment loss allowance on trade receivables. Simplified approach does not require the Group to track changes in credit risk. Rather, it recognizes impairment loss allowance based on lifetime ECL at each reporting date, right from its initial recognition.

For recognition of impairment loss on other financial assets and risk exposure, the Group determines that whether there has been a significant increase in the credit risk since initial recognition. If credit risk has not increased significantly, 12-month ECL is used to provide for impairment loss. However, if credit risk has increased significantly, lifetime ECL is used. If, in a subsequent period, credit quality of the valuation models i.e. Blackinstrument improves such that there is no longer a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, then the entity reverts to recognizing impairment loss allowance based on 12-month ECL.

ECL impairment loss allowance (or reversal) recognized during the period is recognized as income/ expense in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

iv.Classification and subsequent measurement of financial liabilities

The subsequent measurement of financial liabilities depends on their classification, as described below:

§Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

A financial liability is classified as at FVTPL if it is classified as held-for-trading, it is a derivative or it is designated as such on initial recognition. Financial liabilities at FVTPL are measured at fair value and Scholesnet gains and Monte-Carlo simulationslosses, including any interest expense, are recognised in consolidated statement of income.. Financial liabilities are classified as held for trading if they are incurred for the purpose of repurchasing in the near term.

§Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost

After initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the EIR method. Gains and losses are recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income when the liabilities are derecognized.

Amortized cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortization is included as finance costs in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

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v.Offsetting:

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount presented in the statement of financial position when, and only when, the Group currently has a legally enforceable right to set off the amounts and it intends either to settle them on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously

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 consolidated statements of income immediately.

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 the amount can be reliably measured. Provisions are measured at management’s best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligations at the end of each reporting period. date and are discounted to present value where the effect of the same is material.

Leases

Measurement and recognition of leases

The Company considers whether contract is,or contains a lease. A lease is defined as ‘a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to use an asset (the underlying asset) for a period of time in exchange for consideration’.

To apply this definition the Company assesses whether the contract meets three key evaluations which are whether:

a)the contract contains an identified asset, which is either explicitly identified in the contract or implicitly specified by being identified at the time the asset is made available to the Company
b)the Company has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from use of the identified asset throughout the period of use, considering its rights within the defined scope of the contract.
c)the Company has the right to direct the use of the identified asset throughout the period of use. The Company assess whether it has the right to direct ‘how and for what purpose’ the asset is used throughout the period of use.

Company as a lessee

At lease commencement date, the Company recognises a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet. The right-of-use asset is measured at cost, which is made up of the initial measurement of the lease liability, any initial direct costs incurred by the Company and any lease payments made in advance of the lease commencement date.

The Company depreciates the right-of-use assets on a straight-line basis from the lease commencement date to the earlier of the end of the useful life of the right-of-use asset or the end of the lease term period. The Company also assesses the right-of-use asset for impairment when such indicators exist.

At the commencement date, the Company measures the lease liability at the present value of the lease payments unpaid at that date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease if that rate is readily available or the Company’s incremental borrowing rate.

Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability are made up of fixed payments (including in substance fixed), and payments arising from options reasonably certain to be exercised. Subsequent to initial measurement, the liability will be reduced for payments made and increased for interest expenses. It is remeasured to reflect any reassessment or modification.

The Company has elected to account for short-term leases and leases of low-value assets using the exemption given under IFRS 16. Instead of recognising a right-of-use asset and lease liability, the payments in relation to these are recognised as an expense in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term or on another systematic basis if that basis is more representative of the pattern of the Company’s benefit.

Company as a lessor

Lease income from operating leases where the company is lessor is recognised in income on straight line basis over the lease term. 

Taxation

Taxation on profit and loss comprises current income tax and deferred income tax. Tax is recognized in the consolidated statement of income 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 income tax is provided at amounts expected to be paid (or recovered) using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted at the reporting 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. However, deferred tax liabilities are not recognised if they arise from the initial recognition of goodwill. Deferred income tax is also not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that, at the time of the transaction, affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss. 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 income 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 income tax assets and liabilities are offset where there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and where the deferred tax balances relate to the same taxation authority. Current tax assets and tax liabilities are offset where the entity has a legally enforceable right to offset and intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Employee benefits

Defined Contribution Plan

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.

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Defined benefit plan

Gratuity: The Group’s liability towards gratuity is determined using the projected unit credit method which considers each period of service as giving rise to an additional unit of benefit entitlement and measures each unit separately to build up the final obligation. The cost for past services is recognized on a straight-line basis over the average period until the amended benefits become vested. Re-measurement gains and losses are recognized immediately in the Other Comprehensive Income as income or expense and are not reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods. Obligation is measured at the present value of estimated future cash flows using a discounted rate that is determined by reference to market yields at the Balance Sheet date on Government bonds where the currency and terms of the Government bonds are consistent with the currency and estimated terms of the defined benefit obligation.

Employee stock option plan

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 warrantoptions granted is measured using the Black Scholes model or a Monte-Carlo simulation model, each taking into account the terms and convertible notes. Key assumptionsconditions 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.

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 reporting 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 when the fair value is determined.

Any exchange differences arising on the settlement of monetary items or on translating monetary items at rates different from those at which external valuation experts has based theirthey were initially recorded are recognized in the income statement in the period in which they arise.

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. Translation differences on assets and liabilities carried at fair value are reported as part of the fair value gain or loss. 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 closing rate at the date of that balance sheet. 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 consolidated statement of income as part of the gain or loss on disposal.

Equity shares

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. 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.

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Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net profit after taxes attributable to the owners of the Company for the year by weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for bonus elements in ordinary shares issued during the year and excluding treasury shares. Diluted earnings per share adjusts the figures used in the determination of basic earnings per share to take into account the after-income tax effect of interest and other financing costs associated with dilutive potential ordinary shares, and the weighted average number of additional ordinary shares that would have been outstanding assuming the conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.

Current/Non-current classification

The Group presents assets and liabilities in the statement of financial position based on current/non-current classification.

An asset is current when it is:

·Expected to be realized or intended to be sold or consumed in the normal operating cycle (*)
·Held primarily for the purpose of trading
·Expected to be realized within twelve months after the reporting period or
·Cash or cash equivalent unless restricted from being exchanged or used to settle a liability for at least twelve months after the reporting period

All other assets are classified as non-current.

(*) The operating cycle for the business activities of the Group is considered to be twelve months except in case of catalogue sales, which have been ascertained as two years for the purpose of current / non-current classification of assets.

A liability is current when:

·It is expected to be settled in the normal operating cycle
·It is held primarily for the purpose of trading
·It is due to be settled within twelve months after the reporting period or
·There is no unconditional right to defer the settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting period

The Group classifies all other liabilities as non-current. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified as non-current assets and liabilities.

Year Ended March 31, 2020 Compared to Year Ended March 31, 2019

  Year ended March 31,     As a % of revenue 
  2020  2019  Change %  2020  2019 
  (in thousands)          
Revenue $155,452  $270,126   (42.5%)  100.0   100.0 
Cost of sales  (81,725)  (155,396)  47.4%   52.6   57.5 
Gross profit  73,727   114,730   (35.7%)  47.4   42.5 
Administrative costs  (144,319)  (87,134)  (65.6%)  92.8   32.3 
Operating profit/(loss) before impairment loss  (70,592)  27,596   (355.8%)  (45.4)  10.2 
Impairment loss  (431,200)  (423,335)  1.9%   277.4   156.7 
Operating profit/(loss)  (501,792)  (395,739)  (26.8%)  (322.8)  (146.5)
Net finance costs  (8,779)  (7,674)  (14.4%)  5.6   2.8 
Other gains/(losses), net  (3,316)  288   (1251.4%)  2.1   (0.1)
Profit/(loss) before tax  (513,887)  (403,125)  (27.5%)  (330.6)  (149.2)
Income tax  22,183   (7,328)  (402.7%)  (14.3)  2.7 
Profit/(loss) for the year $(491,704) $(410,453)  (19.8%)  (316.3)  (151.9)


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

  Year ended March 31,    
  2020  2019  Change (%) 
  (in thousands)    
India $41,119  $100,387   (59.0%)
Europe  26,927   63,196   (57.4%)
North America  1,309   1,759   (25.6%)
Rest of the world  86,097   104,784   (17.8%)
Total revenues $155,452  $270,126   (42.5%)

Revenue

In fiscal 2020, Eros film slate comprised thirty films of which two were medium budget and twenty-eight were low budget as compared to seventy-two films of which seven were medium budget and sixty-five were low budget in fiscal 2019.

In fiscal 2020, the Company’s slate of thirty films comprised eight Hindi films, one Tamil/Telugu film and twenty-one regional films as compared to the same period last year where its slate of seventy-two films comprised fifteen Hindi films, seven Tamil/Telugu film and fifty regional films ..

For the twelve months ended March 31, 2020, aggregate revenue decreased by 42.5% to $155.5 million compared to $270.1 million for the twelve months ended March 31, 2019, mainly due to a reduction in theatrical and television syndication revenue which was partially offset by increased revenue from our digital and ancillary business.

In the twelve months ended March 31, 2020, the aggregate theatrical revenue decreased by 84.8% to $10.6 million, compared to $69.5 million for the fiscal year 2019. The variation in theatrical revenue is primarily due to the mix of films and release of fewer number of films compared to fiscal 2019.

In the twelve months ended March 31, 2020, aggregate revenues from television syndication decreased by 90.8% to $7.1 million, compared to $77.5 million for fiscal year 2019. The decrease is mainly due to the Company’s shift in business strategy to reduce the licensing of our content to third parties and increase our focus on premium digital content and drive greater value to the ErosNow platform, where the Company retains its position as the largest provider of Indian local and regional language content.

In the twelve months ended March 31, 2020, the aggregate revenues from digital and ancillary increased by 11.9% to $137.8 million, compared to $123.1 million for fiscal year 2019. The increase in revenue is primarily due to contribution from OTT (over-the-top) digital streaming revenues and ancillary business which includes revenue from providing producer support and VFX services to customers.

Cost of sales

For the twelve months ended March 31, 2020, cost of sales decreased by 47.4% to $81.7 million, compared to $155.4 million for fiscal year 2019. The decrease was mainly due to lower amortization costs, lower marketing, advertising and distribution costs.

Gross profit

In fiscal 2020 gross profit decreased by 35.7% to $73.7 million, compared to $114.7 million for fiscal 2019. The decrease was mainly due to decrease in revenue, which is partially offset by lower amortization cost and lower marketing, advertising and distribution costs.


Administrative costs

In fiscal 2020, administrative costs increased by 65.6% to $144.3 million compared to $87.1 million for fiscal year 2019, the increase in administrative cost were mainly on account of credit impairment loss amounting to $97.6 million in fiscal year 2020 compared to $ 25.7 million for fiscal 2019 due to higher expected credit loss (ECL) provision, which was partially offset by reduction in other admin cost such as reduction in legal and profession expenses, Impairment loss on advances to content vendors and other expenses.

Net finance costs

In fiscal 2020, net finance costs increased by 14.4% to $8.8 million, compared to $7.7 million for fiscal year 2019 mainly due to lower interest income on account of unwinding of credit impairment losses, lower bank interest income and higher interest on borrowings cost.

Other gains/(loss), net

In fiscal year 2020, other losses stood at $3.3 million, compared to other gains of $0.3 million in fiscal year 2019, the loss was mainly due to reduction in reversal of expected credit loss (ECL) by $10.4 million, which was partially offset by a lower loss on financial liability measured at fair value includes risk free rate, weighted average costamounting to $16 million compared to $21.4 in fiscal year 2019.

Impairment loss

We recorded an impairment loss of capital,$431.2 million for Fiscal Year 2020. The impairment charge was taken as per IAS 36 under IFRS accounting rules which require companies to re-assess the carrying book value of assets both on a regular annual basis and also in the case of irregular events. Examples of these “irregular events” include: a major change in market conditions or technology, expectations of future volatility, proportionoperating losses, material change in listed equity value or negative cash flows. As in our prior fiscal year, the significant reduction in the stock price and corresponding decline in market capitalisation was the main driver for the impairment charge. This was also compounded by exogenous factors such as the COVID pandemic and changes in business conditions, including delayed theatrical distribution of debtsome films and disruptions to be converted into equity shares. These estimates, includescontent production schedules. Accordingly, we recorded a non-cash impairment loss of $431.2 million, net of taxes, as an exceptional item within the methodology used, can havestatement of income/(loss). Management believes this is a conservative and prudent action, and does not believe this impairment materially impacts the near term or long-term business or operations of the company, as it is driven by compliance with accounting standards. In addition, to the extent that in future periods there is a material positive change in these business conditions, Management will be able to write-up the value of assets according to the same accounting standards.

Income tax expense

In fiscal 2020, income tax expenses decreased by 402.7% to $(22.2) million, compared to $7.3 million for fiscal year 2019. Effective income tax rates were 49.9% and 11.6% for March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019, respectively, excluding non-deductible share-based payment charges, impairment loss and gain/loss on fair valuation of derivative liabilities. The change in effective rate principally reflects a change in the mix of the profits earned from taxable and non- taxable jurisdictionsas well as unrecognized deductible temporary difference and carry forward losses in Indian listed subsidiary.

Net (loss)/profit

In fiscal year 2020, net loss was $491.7 million compared to $410.5 million for the fiscal year 2019, the increase was mainly on account of decrease in the group revenues and change in impairment loss in fiscal year 2020.

Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)

In fiscal 2020, adjusted EBITDA decreased by 21.0% to $54.8 million, compared to $69.4 million for fiscal year 2019. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA is primarily due to lower syndication revenue and few theatrical releases and deferment of film releases in last quarter due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Trade receivables

As of March 31, 2020, Trade Receivables decreased to $101.7 million from $196.4 million as of March 31, 2019, primarily due to accounting of expected credit losses as per IFRS 9 standards, including the potential impact of COVID-19 on the respective valuescredit risk of certain debtor’s businesses and ultimately the amountour ability to recover contractual revenue from them.

Net debt

As of financial liability.March 31, 2020, net debt increased by 21.6% to $176.4 million from $145.0 million as of March 31, 2019 because of reduction in cash and cash equivalents.


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Year Ended March 31, 20182019 Compared to Year Ended March 31, 20172018

 

 Year ended March 31,    As a % of revenue Year ended March 31,   As a % of revenue 
 2018  2017  Change % 2018 2017 2019 2018 Change % 2019 2018 
 (in thousands)        (in thousands)       
Revenue $261,253  $252,994  3.3% 100.0 100.0 $270,126  $261,253  3.4%  100.0  100.0 
Cost of sales  (134,708)  (164,240) (18.0%) 51.6 64.9  (155,396)  (134,708) 15.4% 57.5 51.6 
Gross profit  126,545   88,754  42.6% 48.4 35.1 114,730 126,545 (9.3%) 42.5 48.4 
Administrative costs  (68,029)  (63,309) 7.5% 26.0 25.0  (87,134)  (68,029) 28.1% 32.3 26.0 
Operating profit  58,516   25,445  130.0% 22.4 10.1

Operating profit before impairment loss

 27,596 58,516 (52.8%) 10.2 22.4 
Impairment loss  (423,335)   (100%) 156.7  _

Operating (loss)/profit

 (395,739) 58,516 (776.3%) (146.5) 22.4 
Net finance costs  (17,813)  (17,156) 3.8% 6.8 6.8 (7,674) (17,813) (56.9%) 2.8 6.8 
Other gains/(losses), net  (41,321)  14,205  (390.9%) 15.8 5.6  288  (41,321) (100.7%) (0.1) 15.8 
(Loss)/Profit before tax  (618)  22,494  (102.7%) (0.2) 8.9
Income tax expense  (9,127)  (11,039) (17.3%) (3.5) 4.4
(Loss)/Profit for the year $(9,745) $11,455  (185.1%) (3.7) 4.5
Profit/(loss) before tax (403,125) (618) (65130.6%) (149.2) (0.2)
Income tax  (7,328)  (9,127) (19.7%) 2.7 3.5 
Profit/(loss) for the year $(410,453) $(9,745) (4111.9%) (151.9) (3.7)

 

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

 

 Year ended March 31,    Year ended March 31,   
 2018  2017  Change (%) 2019  2018  Change (%)
 (in thousands)    (in thousands)   
India $98,073  $121,966  (19.6%) $100,387  $98,073  2.4%
Europe  27,028   25,686  5.2%  63,196   27,028  133.8%
North America  1,244   2,549  (51.2%)  1,759   1,244  41.4%
Rest of the world  134,908   102,793  31.2%  104,784   134,908  (22.3%)
Total revenues $261,253  $252,994  3.3% $270,126  $261,253  3.4%

 

Revenue

 

In fiscal 2018,2019, Eros film slate comprised seventy-two films of which seven were medium budget and sixty five were low budget as compared to twenty four films of which one waswere high budget, four were medium budget and nineteen were low budget as compared to forty five films of which five were high budget, ten were medium budget and thirty were low budget in fiscal 2017.2018.

 

In fiscal 2018,2019, the Company’s slate of seventy-two films comprised fifteen Hindi films, seven Tamil/Telugu film and fifty regional films as compared to the same period last year where its slate of twenty four films comprised fourteen Hindi films, one Tamil/Telugu film and nine regional films as compared to the same period last year where its slate of forty five films comprised twelve Hindi films, eighteen Tamil/Telugu films and fifteen regional films..

 

For the twelve months ended March 31, 2018,2019, revenue increasedwas adjusted by 3.3%$34.5 million as significant financing component that arises on account of normal credit terms provided to $261.3licensees of our content catalogue (on account of IFRS 15 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers) and the net revenue was to $270.1 million compared to $253.0$261.3 million for the twelve months ended March 31, 2017.

In the twelve months ended March 31, 2018, the aggregate theatrical revenues decreased by 21.7% to $79.1 million from $101.0 million for the twelve months ended March 31, 2017. The decrease in theatrical revenues reflects the mix of films released in each period.

In the twelve months ended March 31, 2018, the aggregate revenues from television syndication increased by 10.5% to $97.2 million from $88.0 million for the twelve months ended March 31, 2017. This was due to strong catalogue salesan increase in fiscal 2018 which is partially offset on account of the weaker new release slate and impact of credit impairment losses amounting $6.8 million.

In the twelve months ended March 31, 2018, the aggregate revenues from digital and ancillary increased by 32.8% to $85.0 million from $64.0 million for the twelve months ended March 31, 2017 mainly driven by catalogue monetization strategy, revenues from Eros Now and contribution from other ancillary revenues streams.

In the twelve months ended March 31, 2018, revenue from India decreased by 19.6% to $98.1 million, compared to $122.0 million in the twelve months ended March 31, 2017. The decrease was mainly due to mix of films released in fiscal 2018 compared to fiscal 2017.


In the twelve months ended March 31, 2018, revenue from Europe increased by 5.2% to $27.0 million, compared to $25.7 million in the twelve months ended March 31, 2017. This was on account of increased catalogue sales and partially offset by decrease in theatrical revenues.

 

In the twelve months ended March 31, 2018,2019, the aggregate theatrical revenue from North America decreased by 51.2%12.1% to $1.2$69.5 million, compared to $2.5$79.1 million for the fiscal year 2018. The variation in theatrical revenue is primarily due to the twelve months ended March 2017. This was on accountmix of relatively lower theatrical revenues from the film slatefilms and lower catalogue revenues.release of more low budget films.

 

In the twelve months ended March 31, 2018,2019, aggregate revenues from television syndication decreased by 20.3% to $77.5 million, compared to $97.2 million for fiscal year 2018. The decrease is mainly due to mix of films and lower catalogue revenue during the year.

In the twelve months ended March 31, 2019, the aggregate revenues from digital and ancillary increased by 44.8% to $123.1 million, compared to $85.0 million for fiscal year 2018. The increase in revenue is primarily on account of contribution from catalogue revenues and digital business and an increase in revenue from OTT platform on account of an increase in subscribers by 138% when compared to the previous year.

86 

In the twelve months ended March 31, 2019, revenue from India increased by 2.4% to $100.4 million, compared to $98.1 million for fiscal year 2018. The variation is due to the mix of films, partially offset by an increase in revenue from digital and ancillary business.

In the twelve months ended March 31, 2019, revenue from Europe increased by 133.8% to $63.2 million, compared to $27.0 million for fiscal year 2018. This was due to higher contribution from the monetization of catalogue films from one of our subsidiary in Europe, including digital and ancillary business.

In the twelve months ended March 31, 2019, revenue from North America increased by 41.4% to $1.7 million, compared to $1.2 million for fiscal year 2018. The increase was due to increase in revenue from digital and ancillary business.

In the twelve months ended March 31, 2019, revenue from the rest of the world increaseddecreased by 31.2%22.3% to $104.8 million, compared to $134.9 million compared to $102.8 million in the twelve months ended March 31, 2017, mainlyfor fiscal year 2018. This was due to increasedlower catalogue revenues and theatrical release of filmBajrangi Bhaijaan in Chinasales during the year, partially offset by decreaseincrease in theatrical revenuesrevenue from digital and ancillary business.

 

Cost of sales

 

For the twelve months ended March 31, 2018,2019, cost of sales decreasedincreased by 18%15.4% to $155.4 million, compared to $134.7 million compared to $164.2 million in twelve months period ended March 31, 2017, primarilyfor fiscal year 2018. The increase was mainly due to decrease in cumulativehigher amortization costs, of $20 million associated to lower cost of comparable film mix in twelve months ended March 2017 associated with less comparable film mix.higher marketing, advertising and distribution costs.

 

Gross profit

 

In fiscal 20182019 gross profit increaseddecreased by 42.6%9.3% to $114.7 million, compared to $126.5 million compared to $88.8 million infor fiscal 2017. As a percentage of revenues, our gross profit margin was 48.4% in the fiscal 2018, compared to 35.1% in fiscal 2017. This2018. The decrease was mainly due to strong catalogue salesan increase in marketing, advertising and lower amortization charge associated to lower costdistribution costs and adjustment on account of comparable film mix.

Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)

In fiscal 2018, adjusted EBITDA increased by 41.1% to $78.6 million, compared to $55.7 millionadoption new accounting standard in fiscal 2017 primarily due to our improved margins reflecting the higher proportionate of catalogue revenues, relative to the lower cost of the mix of new film releases and the resulting lower amortization charge partially offset due to net foreign exchange losses incurred in fiscal 2018 when compared to net foreign exchange gains earned in fiscal 2017.year 2019.

 

Adjusted Gross EBITDA (Non-GAAP)

In fiscal 2018, adjusted Gross EBITDA increased by 1.5% to $193.9 million, compared to $191.0 million in fiscal 2017. As a percentage of revenues, our adjusted gross EBITDA was 74.2%, compared to 75.4% in fiscal 2017. This was mainly due to net foreign exchange losses incurred during the fiscal 2018 compared to net foreign exchange gains earned in fiscal 2017 partially offset due to our improved margins reflecting the higher proportionate of catalogue revenues.

Administrative costs

 

In fiscal 2018,2019, administrative costs increased by 7.5%28.1% to $87.1 million compared to $68.0 million compared to $63.3 million for fiscal year 2018, the fiscal, 2017, due to impairment chargeincrease in administrative cost were mainly on goodwill amounting to $1.2 million,account of credit impairment loss amounting to $4.3 million and allowance for doubtful debts/ bad debts amounting to $4.7$21.4 million in the current fiscal year partially offset on account2019 and impairment of reduction on share based compensation by $5.5 million.loans and advances of $7.3 million in fiscal 2019.

Net finance costs

 

In fiscal 2018,2019, net finance costs increaseddecreased by 3.8%56.9% to $7.7 million, compared to $17.8 million compared to $17.2 million infor fiscal 2017,year 2018 mainly due to lower income from financing activities and increased borrowing costs partially offset on account of unwinding of credit impairment loss reserve by $0.9 million.$13.2 million and which was partially offset by lower capitalization of interest.

 

Other gains/(loss), net

 

In fiscal 2018,year 2019, other lossesgains were $41.3increased by 100.7% to $0.3 million, compared to other gainslosses of $14.2$41.3 million in fiscal 2017, mainly on account of loss on financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit and loss, including derivative financial instrument, and unrealized exchange losses recorded in fiscal 2018 compared to gains recorded in fiscal 2017. In addition, due to certain non-recurring items such as loss on deconsolidation of a subsidiary amounting $14.6 million, impairment on available-for-sale financial asset amounting to $2.4 million and net loss incurred on de-recognition of financial assets amounting to $3.6 million arising on assignment and novation of trade receivable and trade payables with no recourse.

Income tax expense

In fiscalyear 2018, the provisions for income taxes were $9.1 million, compared to $11.0 million in fiscal 2017, respectively. Effective income tax rates were 20% and 31% for fiscal 2018 and 2017, respectively excluding non-deductible share-based payment charges and other non -taxable expenses. The change in effective rate principally reflects a change in the pattern of the profits subject to income tax amongst our subsidiaries.

Net (loss)/profit

In fiscal 2018, net income decreased by 185.1% to $(9.7) million compared to $11.5 million for the fiscal, 2017 whichgain was mainly on account of non-cash expensesreversal of expected credit loss of $20.7 million, a credit from the Government of India amounting to $2.3 million and a foreign exchange gain of $5.6 million which was partially offset by a loss on financial liability measured at fair value amounting to $21.4 million compared to $13.8 in fiscal year 2018. In addition, there were other losses in fiscal 2018 caused by a one-time loss on deconsolidation of subsidiary amounting $51.0 million against non-cash (income) of $10.6 million in fiscal 2017 partially offset due to our improved margins reflecting the higher proportionate of catalogue revenues, relative to the lower cost of the mix of new film releases and the resulting lower amortization charge, reduction in share based compensation and lower effective income tax rates.

Trade receivables

As of March 31, 2018, Trade receivables decreased to $225.0 million from $226.8 million as of March 31, 2017.$14.6 million.


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Net debt

As of March 31, 2018, net debt increased to $189.2 million from $157.6 million as of March 31, 2017, mainly due to decrease in cash and bank balance by $25 million due to additional investment in film and content rights and repayment of the revolving credit facility and other borrowings (including settlement of derivative financial instrument) amounting $102.8 million partially offset on account of issuance of convertible notes amounting $100.0 million during the fiscal 2018.

Year Ended March 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended March 31, 2016Impairment loss

 

  Year ended March 31,    As a % of revenue
  2017  2016  Change % 2017 2016
  (in thousands)       
Revenue $252,994  $274,428  (7.8%) 100.0 100.0
Cost of sales  (164,240)  (172,764) (4.9%) 64.9 63.0
Gross profit  88,754   101,664  (12.7%) 35.1 37.0
Administrative costs  (63,309)  (64,019) (1.1%) 25.0 23.3
Operating profit  25,445   37,645  (32.4%) 10.1 13.7
Net finance costs  (17,156)  (8,010) 114.2% 6.8 2.9
Other gains/(losses), net  14,205   (3,636) 490.7% 5.6 1.3
(Loss)/Profit before tax  22,494   25,999  (13.5%) 8.9 9.5
Income tax expense  (11,039)  (12,711) (13.2%) 4.4 4.6
(Loss)/Profit for the year $11,455  $13,288  (13.8%) 4.5 4.8

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

  Year ended March 31,   
  2017  2016  Change (%)
  (in thousands)   
India $121,966  $159,855  (23.7%)
Europe  25,686   34,209  (24.9%)
North America  2,549   14,622  (82.6%)
Rest of the world  102,793   65,742  56.4%
Total revenue $252,994  $274,428  (7.8%)

Revenue

In fiscal year 2017, revenue decreased by 7.8%Company recorded an impairment loss, totaling to $253.0$423.3 million, compared to $274.4 million in fiscal year 2016.

In fiscal year 2017, Eros film slate comprised forty five films of which five were high budget, ten were medium budget and thirty were low budget as compared to sixty three films in fiscal year 2016, of which six was high budget, sixteen were medium budget and forty one were low budget.

In fiscal year 2017, the Company’s slate of forty five films comprised twelve Hindi films, sixteen Tamil, two Telugu films and fifteen other regional films as compared to the same period last year where it was slate of sixty three films comprised thirty three Hindi films, nineteen Tamil, two Telugu films and nine other regional films.

In fiscal year 2017, the aggregate theatrical revenue decreased by 27.0% to $101.0 million as compared to $138.4 million in fiscal year 2016. The decrease in theatrical revenue reflects the mix of films released in each period as mentioned above. Theatrical revenue in fiscal year 2016 comprised revenue fromBajrangi Bhaijaan, Bajirao Mastani, Tanu Weds Manu Returns which were three out of the top four highest grossing films of 2016 compared to 2017 whereHousefull 3 was the only top 10 film so far coupled with the negative impact of demonetisation on the Indian film industry since November 2016, which necessitated the Company to defer some of its Hindi and regional releases indefinitely. As a result, in fiscal year 2017, the Company released only forty five films of which only twelve were Hindi compare to thirty three Hindi films out of a total sixty three films in fiscal year 2016 which explains the decline in theatrical revenues.

In fiscal year 2017, the aggregate revenue from television syndication increased by 22.1% to $88.0 million from $72.1 million in fiscal year 2016. This was due to strong catalogue sales in fiscal year 2017 to offset the weaker new release slate, while in fiscal year 2016, the Company had decided to hold back and sacrifice some catalogue sales which come with longer payment terms to bring about working capital efficiencies.


In fiscal year 2017, the aggregate revenues from digital and ancillary increased by 0.2% to $64.0 million from $63.9 million in fiscal year 2016 mainly driven by catalogue monetization strategy, revenues from Eros Now and contribution from other ancillary revenues streams.

In fiscal year 2017, revenue from India decreased by 23.7% to $122 million, compared to $159.9 million in fiscal 2016. The decrease was mainly due to lower theatrical revenue onhigh discount rate and changes in the back of weaker slate mix coupled with rupee demonetisation impact whereas fiscal year 2016 slate comprised of highly acclaimed and commercial successful films such asBajrangi Bhaijaan, Bajirao Mastani andTanu Weds Manu Returns. Themarket conditions, including decrease in overall theatrical revenue was offset by a stronger catalogue revenue contribution.

In fiscal year 2017, revenue from Europe decreased by 24.9% to $25.7 million, compared to $34.2 million in fiscal year 2016. The decrease isprojected volume primarily on account of lower theatrical revenues duerecent credit downgrade and expected investment in film content of $150 - $160 million as more fully explained in note 2(c) to weaker mix of films partially offset by catalogue sales.

In fiscal year 2017, revenue from North America decreased by 82.6% to $2.5 million, compared to $14.6 million, in fiscal year 2016.audited financial statements. The decrease is on account of relatively weaker slate mix coupled with lower catalogue revenues.

In fiscal year 2017, revenue from the rest of the world increased by 56.4% to $102.8 million, compared to $65.7 million in fiscal year 2016, mainly due to increase in catalogue revenues which were muted in last two quarters of fiscal year 2016 to bring-in working capital efficiencies.

Cost of sales

In fiscal year 2017, cost of sales decreased by 4.9% to $164.2 million compared to $172.8 million in fiscal year 2016, which is attributable to decrease in accrual of overages to $1.0 million in fiscal year 2017 compared to $10.1 million due to an overall weaker slate mix. Further, decrease in publicity and distribution cost by $5.2 million in fiscal year 2017 compared to fiscal year 2016 contributedimpairment loss was firstly allocated to the overall decrease in costcarrying amount of sales whichgoodwill and Intangibles - trademark totaling $17.8 million and the residual amount totaling $405.5 million was partially offset by increase in cumulative amortisation costs of film library by $7 million in fiscal year 2017 as comparedallocated to fiscal year 2016.

Gross profit

In fiscal year 2017 gross profit decreased by 12.7% to $88.8 million, compared to $101.7 million, in fiscal year 2016. As a percentage of revenues, gross profit margin is 35.1% in the fiscal 2017, compared to 37.0% in fiscal year 2016. The decrease in margin is primarily due to an overall weaker slate mix resulting in overall decrease of theatrical revenue by $37.4 million or 27.0% in fiscal year 2017 as compared to fiscal year 2016, offset by increase in television syndication revenue by $15.9 million or 22.1% and increase in amortization charge by $7.0 million or 5.5% in fiscal 2017.

Adjusted gross EBITDA (Non-GAAP)

In fiscal 2017, adjusted Gross EBITDA decreased by 4.1% to $191.0 million, compared to $199.2 million in fiscal 2016. As a percentage of revenues, our adjusted gross EBITDA was 75.4%, compared to 72.6% in fiscal 2016. This was mainly due to net foreign exchange gains earned during the fiscal 2017 compared to net foreign exchange loss incurred in fiscal 2016 and our improved margins reflecting the higher proportionate of catalogue revenues, partially offset due to increase in amortization charge.

Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)

In fiscal year 2017, adjusted EBITDA decreased by 21.4% to $55.7 million, compared to $70.9 million in fiscal year 2016 due to an overall weaker slate mix, reduced theatrical revenues for the films released during the rupee demonetization in India which was partially offset by significant high margin catalogue revenues.

Administrative costs

In fiscal year 2017, administrative costs decreased by 1.1% to $63.3 million compared to $64.0 million for the fiscal year 2016, primarily due to decrease in share based payments, of $23.5 million in fiscal year 2017 as compared to $31.0 million in fiscal year 20l6 which was partially offset by increase in salaries by $4.0 million in fiscal year 2017 as compared to fiscal year 2016.

Net finance costs

In fiscal year 2017, net finance costs increased by 114.2% to $17.2 million, compared to $8 million in fiscal year 2016, mainly due to decrease in finance income by $3.3 million in fiscal year 2017 as compared to fiscal year 2016. Further, the finance cost has increased $5.8 million in fiscal year 2017 as compared to fiscal year 2016 primarily due to high cost of debt due to higher debt within India as well as increased interest for the Revolving Credit Facility and decrease in capitalisation of interest on content assets by $2 million in fiscal year 2017 as compared to fiscal year 2016.Intangibles – content.

 

Income tax expense

 

In fiscal year 2017, the provisions for2019, income taxes are $11.0tax expenses decreased by 19.7% to $7.3 million, compared to $12.7$9.1 million infor fiscal year 2016.2018. Effective income tax rates were 31%11.6% and 21%20% for fiscal year 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016,March 31, 2018, respectively, excluding non-deductible share-based payment charges, impairment loss and gain / gain/loss on fair valuation of derivative liabilities. The change in effective tax rate principally reflects a change in the mix of the profits earned from taxable and non-taxablenon- taxable jurisdictions.


Net income(loss)/profit

 

In fiscal year 2017,2019, net income decreased by 13.8%loss was $410.5 million compared to $11.5 million compares to $13.3$9.7 million for the fiscal 2016 as costyear 2018, the increase was mainly on account of sales remained relatively consistent with fiscal 2016 whereas revenue decreased by 7.8% in fiscal year 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016, which was offset by fair value gain on held for trading derivative liabilities of $10.3 million as compared toimpairment loss of $3.6$423.3 million in fiscal year 2016.2019.

Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)

In fiscal 2019, adjusted EBITDA decrease by 8.8% to $69.4 million, compared to $76.1 million for fiscal year 2018.The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA is due to increased cost of sales, administrative cost and Profit/(loss) before impairment loss and tax.

 

Trade receivables

 

In fiscal year 2017, trade receivables increasedAs of March 31, 2019, Trade Receivables decreased to $226.8$196.4 million from $169.3$225.0 million as of March 31, 2016 mainly due to resumption2018 after considering expected credit loss reserve upon adoption of catalogue sales from April 2016 compared to muted catalogue sales in fiscal year 2016 primarily due to sales held backnew accounting standards during last two quarters of fiscal 2016 to achieve working capital efficiencies. Catalogue sales have payment terms extended up to athe year. We have collected approximately $35 million of fiscal year 2017 trade receivables subsequent to reporting date.

 

Net debt

 

In fiscal year 2017,As of March 31, 2019, net debt increaseddecreased by 23.4% to $157.6$145.0 million compared to $120.4from $189.2 million in fiscalas of March 31, 2018 primarily on account of additional equity infusion during the year 2016 mainly due to decrease in cash and bank balances by $70.5amounting $54.7 million. The equity infusion was primarily received from promoters’ group $8 million and repayment of $33.4Reliance Industries $46.7 million debt.at $14.7 and $15 per share, respectively.

 

Exchange rates

 

Our functional and reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate prevailingruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates atruling on 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 prevailingruling 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 theThe following table belowsets forth, for the periods indicated:indicated, information concerning the exchange rates between Indian rupees and U.S. dollars based on the noon buying rate in the City of New York for cable transfers of Indian rupees as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

 

 Period EndAverage(1)HighLow
Fiscal Year    
201144.5445.4647.4943.90
201250.8948.0153.7144.00
201354.5254.3657.1350.64
201460.3560.3568.8053.65
201562.5861.1563.7058.46
201666.2565.3968.8461.99
201764.8567.0168.8664.85
201865.1164.4665.7163.38
     
Months    
April 201764.2764.5465.1064.08
May 201764.5064.4264.8764.03
June 201764.6264.4564.6664.23
July 201764.1864.4264.8464.11
August 201763.9363.9764.1663.64
September 201765.3064.4865.7163.78
October 201764.7565.0465.4864.70
November 201764.4664.8465.4664.29
December 201763.8364.2464.5763.83
January 201863.5863.6564.0163.38
February 201865.2064.4365.2063.93
March 201865.1165.0565.2464.83
April 201866.5065.6766.9264.92
May 201867.4067.5168.3866.52
June 201868.4667.7968.8166.87

  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
2017 64.85 67.01 68.86 64.85
2018 65.11 64.46 65.71 63.38
2019 69.16 69.91 74.33 64.92
2020 75.39  70.90 71.66 70.10
         
Months        
April 2019 69.64 69.41 70.19 68.58
May 2019 69.63 69.77 70.62 69.08
June 2019 68.92 69.39 69.83 68.92
July 2019 68.81   68.74   69.03   68.40  
August 2019 71.45   71.19   72.02   69.00  
September 2019 70.64   71.32   72.20   70.49  
October 2019 71.01   71.00   71.48   70.71  
November 2019 71.75   71.48   72.12   70.76  
December 2019 71.36   71.16   71.70   70.62  
January 2020 71.53   71.27   71.86   70.69  
February 2020 72.53   71.53   72.53   71.11  
March 2020 75.39   74.55   76.37   72.88  
April 2020 75.08   76.17   76.95   75.08  
May 2020 75.59   75.67   76.08   75.03  
June 2020 75.63   75.73   76.32   75.03  

(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 comparable based upon the average rate of exchange for the year ended March 31, 2018,2020, of INR 64.4670.90 to $1.00. In addition to the impact on gross profit, the volatility during the year ended March 31, 20182020 also led to a non-cash foreign exchange lossgain of 6.22.7 million principally on retail bond foreign currency in the year ended March 31, 20182020 compared to gainnon-cash foreign exchange loss of $3.95.6 million principally on retail bond foreign currency in the year ended March 31, 2017.2019.

 

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.

89 

  Year ended March 31, 
  2018  2017  2016 
  Reported  Constant Currency (Non-GAAP)  Reported  Constant Currency (Non-GAAP)  Reported  Constant Currency (Non-GAAP) 
          (in thousands)         
Revenue $261,253   261,253  $252,994  $255,644  $274,428  $274,071 
Cost of sales  (134,708)  (134,708)  (164,240)  (168,644)  (172,764)  (172,698)
Gross Profit $126,545   126,545  $88,754  $87,000  $101,664  $101,373 

  Year ended March 31, 
  2020  2019  2018 
  Reported  Constant Currency (Non-GAAP)  Reported  Constant Currency (Non-GAAP)  Reported  Constant Currency (Non-GAAP) 
        (in thousands)       
Revenue $155,452   155,452  $270,126   265,792  $261,253  $249,406 
Cost of sales  (81,725)  (81,725)  (155,396)  (152,364)  (134,708)  (126,836)
Gross Profit $73,727   73,727  $114,730   113,428  $126,545  $122,570 

 

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

 

 Year ended March 31, Year ended March 31, 
 2018 2017 2016 2020  2019  2018 
   (in thousands)      (in thousands)    
Revenue —% (1.0)% 0.1%  —%   1.6%   4.5% 
Cost of sales —% (2.7)% (0.0)  —%   2.0%   5.8% 
Gross profit —% 2.0% 0.3%  —%   1.1%   3.1% 

 

The Indian Rupee experienced an approximately 0.4%8.3% decrease in value as compared to the U.S. dollar in the fiscal year 2018.2020. In the fiscal year 2017,2019, it increaseddecreased by 2.2%5.9%.

 

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.

 

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,  Year ended March 31, 
 2018  2017  2016  2020  2019  2018 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Current assets(*) $339,562  $362,477  $373,482  $118,405  $351,597  $339,562 
Current liabilities  239,327   316,101   290,687   225,280   318,672   239,327 
Working capital $100,235  $46,376  $82,795  $(106,875) $32,925  $100,235 

 

(*) including trade receivables classified as current asset based on operating cycle of two years.

 

The significant increasedecrease in working capital as at March 31, 20182020 as compared to March 31, 2017, principally reflects2019 was primarily the result of reduction in trade and other receivables, Cash & Bank balance and restricted deposits by $97.9 million, $86.6 million and 51 million respectively. The short-term borrowings have also reduced by 92 million to $116.9 million as at March 31, 2020 from $208.9 million as at March 31, 2019 due to repayment of payables, repayment of long-termsenior convertible notes and short-term borrowings secured by restricted assets.

For additional information, please see Note 2(a) and conversion of convertible notesNote 31 to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in equity shares during fiscal 2018.this annual report.


 

Indebtedness

 

As of March 31, 2018,2020, we had aggregate outstanding indebtedness of $278.2$179.4 million, and cash and cash equivalents of $87.8$2.6 million and short-term liquid investments of $3.8 million. AtAs at March 31, 2018,2020, the total available facilities were comprised of (i) secured credit, bill discounting and overdraft, secured term loans, and vehicle loans of $105.5$71.9 million at Eros India, (ii) secured overdraft amounting to $16.7$22.1 million at Eros International Limited. In addition, Eros International plc has debt of $70.0$62.3 million in relation to a retail bond offering for £50 million in October 2014 and Senior Convertible Notes amounting to $86.0$23.1 million issued in December 2017. As at March 31, 2018,2020, there were undrawn amounts under our facilities of $0.6$0.1 million.

 As of
March 31, 2018
  As of
March 31, 2020
 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Eros India        
Secured credit, bill discounting and overdraft $59,588  $48,777 
Secured term loans $45,313  $22,975 
Vehicle loans $560  $127 
Total $105,461  $71,879 
Eros International plc        
Retail Bond $70,055  $62,274 
Senior Convertible Notes $86,010  $23,100 
Total $156,065  $85,374 
Eros International Limited        
Secured overdraft $16,630  $22,118 
Total��$16,630  $22,118 
Total $278,156  $179,371 

 

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 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 favorablefavourable terms as our current borrowings. We are currently in full compliance with all of our agreements governing indebtedness.

 

Borrowings under our term loan facilities and overdraft facility and revolving credit facilities at Eros India matures between 20192020 and 2023 and bear interest at fluctuating interest rates pursuant to the relevant sanction letter governing such loans.

 

We expect to renew, replace or extend our borrowings as they reach maturity. As at March 31, 2018,2020, we had net undrawn amounts of $0.6$0.1 million available.

 

The Notes

On December 6,06, 2017, the Company closed a registered direct offering (the “Offering”“2017 Offering”) of $122,500,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s Senior Convertible Notes (collectively, the “Notes”) and a Warrant (collectively, the “Warrants”) to purchase up to 2,000,000 of the Company’s A ordinary shares, for an aggregate purchase price of $100,000,000. The Notes and Warrants were issued and sold pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 4,04, 2017, by and among the Company and the buyers party thereto (the “Purchase Agreement”).Thethereto. The 2017 Offering was effected pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated December 1,01, 2017 under the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-3 (Registration No. 333-219708), as amended (the “Registration Statement”). The Registration Statement was declared effective on October 2,02, 2017.

The NotesWarrants expired on June 30, 2018 without being exercised.

 

In connection with the issuance of the Notes, the Company entered into an indenture, dated as of December 6,06, 2017, between the Company and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee (the “Base Indenture”), as supplemented by a first supplemental indenture thereto, dated as of December 6,06, 2017 (the “Supplemental Indenture” and, the Base Indenture as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”). The terms of the Notes includeincluded those provided in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.


The Notes will maturewould have matured on December 6,06, 2020 unless earlier converted or redeemed, subject to the right of the holders to extend the date under certain circumstances. The Notes were issued with an original issue discount and willthe terms of the Notes provided that they would not bear interest except upon the occurrence of an event of default, in which case the Notes shallwould bear interest at a rate of 6.0% per annum. The Notes arewere senior obligations of the Company.

 

The Company will makemade monthly payments consisting of an amortizing portion of the principal of each Note equal to $3,500,000 and accrued and unpaid interest and late charges on the Note. Provided certainequity conditions have beenreferred to in the prospectus supplement were satisfied, the Company maywas permitted to make a monthly payment by converting such payment amount into A ordinary shares. Alternatively the Company may,was permitted, at its option, to make monthly payments by redeeming such payment amount in cash, or by any combination of conversion and redemption.

 

All amounts due under the Notes were convertible at any time, in whole or in part, at the holder’s option, into A ordinary shares at the initial conversion price of $14.6875. The conversion price was subject to adjustment for stock splits, combinations and similar events, and, in any such event, the number of A ordinary shares issuable upon the conversion of a Note would also be adjusted so that the aggregate conversion price would have been the same immediately before and immediately after any such adjustment. In addition, the conversion price was also subject to an anti-dilution adjustment if the Company issued or was deemed to have issued securities at a price lower than the then applicable conversion price. Further, if the Company sold or issued any securities with “floating” conversion prices based on the market price of the A ordinary shares, a holder of a Note would have the right thereafter to substitute the “floating” conversion price for the conversion price upon conversion of all or part the Note.

The Notes required “buy-in” payments to be made by the Company for failure to deliver any A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion.

On or after December 06, 2019, and subject to certain conditions, the Company had the right to redeem all, but not less than all, of the remaining principal amount of the Notes and all accrued and unpaid interest and late charges in cash at a price equal to 100% of the amount being redeemed, so long as the VWAP of the A ordinary shares exceeded $18.3594 (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations and similar events) for at least 10 consecutive trading days. At any time prior to the date of the redemption, a holder had the right to convert its Note, in whole or in part, into A ordinary shares. The Company had no right to effect an optional redemption if any event of default had occurred and was continuing.

As of June 30, 2020, all amounts due under the Notes have been converted and no principal amount of the Notes remained outstanding. 

2020 Notes Offering

On September 30, 2019, the Company closed a registered direct offering (the “2019 Offering”) of $27,500,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s Senior Convertible Notes (collectively, the “New Notes”) for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $24,500,000. The New Notes were issued and sold pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2019, by and among the Company and the buyers party thereto. The 2019 Offering was effected pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated September 26, 2019 under the Registration Statement.

The securities purchase agreement provided, as consideration for the securities purchase agreement and pursuant to the provisions of the Notes, for the Company to waive rights to make redemptions or repayments under the Notes in cash, and for the holder of the Notes (the “2017 Holder”) to waive certain specified rights and terms under the Notes, including certain rights to cash payment of any installment amounts then-due under the Notes, and provided for automatic election by the Company to pay each installment amount in the Company’s A ordinary shares. Additionally, with respect to an aggregate amount of $9 million of installment amounts as to which a conversion notice was delivered by the 2017 Holder but a conversion did not occur prior to September 26, 2019 as a result of the mutual agreement of the Company and the 2017 Holder, the conversion of such installment was deemed to have been voided by the 2017 Holder as of September 3, 2019, such that the installment conversion price was automatically adjusted in accordance with clause (A) of Section 8(b) of the Notes based on the VWAP of the A ordinary shares as of August 26, 2019.

The New Notes will mature on September 30, 2020, unless earlier converted or redeemed, subject to the right of the holders to extend the date under certain circumstances. The New Notes were issued with an original issue discount and do not bear interest except upon the occurrence of an event of default, in which case the New Notes shall bear interest at a rate of 6.0% per annum. The New Notes are senior obligations of the Company.

92 

All amounts due under the New Notes are convertible at any time, in whole or in part, at the holder’s option into A ordinary shares at the initial conversion price of $14.6875.$3.59. The conversion price is subject to adjustment for stock splits, combinations and similar events, and, in any such event, the number of A ordinary shares issuable upon the conversion of a New Note will also be adjusted so that the aggregate conversion price shall be the same immediately before and immediately after any such adjustment. In addition, the conversion price is also subject to an anti-dilution adjustment if the Company issues or is deemed to have issued securities at a price lower than the then applicable conversion price. Further, if the Company sells or issues any securities with “floating” conversion prices based on the market price of the A ordinary shares, a holder of a New Note will have the right thereafter to substitute the “floating” conversion price for the conversion price upon conversion of all or part the New Note.

 

The New Notes require “buy-in” payments to be made by the Company for failure to deliver any A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion. Holders of New Notes are entitled to receive any dividends paid or distributions made to the holders of A ordinary shares on an “as if converted” basis. If the Company issues options, convertible securities, warrants, shares or similar securities to holders of A ordinary shares, each New Note holder has the right to acquire the same as if the holder had converted its New Note.

 

OnThe New Notes prohibit the Company from entering into specified fundamental transactions unless the successor entity assumes all of the Company’s obligations under the New Notes under a written agreement before the transaction is completed. Upon specified corporate events, a New Note holder will thereafter have the right to receive upon a conversion such shares, securities, cash, assets or after December 6, 2019, and subjectany other property which the holder would have been entitled to certain conditions,receive upon the Companyhappening of the applicable corporate event had the New Note been converted immediately prior to the applicable corporate event. When there is a transaction involving specified changes of control, a New Note holder will have the right to force the Company to redeem all but not less than all,or any portion of the remaining principal amount of the Notes and all accrued and unpaid interest and late chargesholder’s New Note for a purchase price in cash at a price equal to 100%the equal to the greater of (i) 105% of the amount being redeemed, so long as(ii) the VWAPproduct of (A) the A ordinary shares exceeds $18.3594 (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations and similar events) for at least 10 consecutive trading days. At any time prior toamount being redeemed multiplied by (B) the datequotient of (1) the redemption, a holder may convert its Note, in whole or in part, into A ordinary shares. The Company will have no right to effect an optional redemption if any event of default has occurred and is continuing.

The Warrants

The Warrants will entitle the holders thereof to purchase, in the aggregate, up to 2,000,000 A ordinary shares. The Warrants will be exercisable upon their issuance and will expire six months from the Closing Date. The Warrants will initially be exercisable at an exercise price equal to $14.375 per A ordinary shares, subject to certain adjustments. The Warrants may be exercised for cash, provided that, if there is no effective registration statement available registering the exercise of the Warrants, the Warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis.

The exercise price is subject to adjustment for stock splits, combinations and similar events, and, in any such event, the number of A ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of a Warrant will also be adjusted so that the aggregate exercise price shall be the same immediately before and immediately after any such adjustment. In addition, the exercise price is also subject to an anti-dilution adjustment if the Company issues or is deemed to have issued securities at a price lower than the then applicable exercise price. Further, if the Company sells or issues any securities with “floating” conversion prices based on the markethighest closing sale price of the A ordinary shares aduring the period beginning on the date immediately before the earlier to occur of (x) the completion of the change of control and (y) the public announcement of the change of control and ending on the date the holder of a Warrant will havedelivers the right thereafter to substituteredemption notice divided by (2) the “floating” conversion price forthen in effect, or (iii) the exercise price upon exerciseproduct of all or part(A) the Warrant.

The Warrants require “buy-in” paymentsamount being redeemed multiplied by (B) the quotient of (1) the aggregate cash consideration and the aggregate cash value of any non-cash consideration per A ordinary share to be made bypaid to the Company for failure to deliver anyholders of A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise.the completion cash flow of the change of control divided by (2) the conversion price then in effect.

 

The option to purchase warrants has expired inAs of June 2018.30, 2020, all amounts due under the New Notes have been converted and no principal amount of the New Notes remained outstanding.

 

Sources and uses of cash

 

 Year Ended March 31,  Year Ended March 31, 
 2018  2017  2016  2020  2019  2018 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Net cash from operating activities $83,243  $98,993  $234,599  $18,738  $74,966  $83,243 
Net cash used in investing activities $(185,420) $(175,191) $(211,355) $(80,546) $(157,733) $(185,420)
Net cash from financing activities $77,415  $5,929  $7,597  $(24,286) $84,117  $77,415 

 

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YearCash flow movement for the year ended March 31, 2018 Compared2020 compared to Year Endedyear ended March 31, 20172019

 

Net cash generated from operating activities in fiscal year 2018,2020 was $83.2$18.7 million compared to $99.0$75.0 million in the in fiscal year 2017,2019, a decrease of $15.8$56.3 million, or 15.9%75.1%, primarily due to decrease in working capital movement of $24.3 million mainly attributable to increase in trade receivables to $19.1 million and decrease in trade payables by $5.4 million. The cash flow from operating activities has also decreased due to increase in interest and income tax paid in fiscal 2018 by 2.4 million and $2.9 million respectively. The aforesaid decrease is partially offset on account of deconsolidation of a subsidiary during the year.reduction in trade and other receivables.

 

Net cash used in investing activities in fiscal year 20182020 was $185.4$80.5 million compared to $175.2$157.7 million in fiscal year 2017, an increase2019, a decrease of $10$77.2 million, or 5.8%49.0%, primarily due to increase in the change in mix of films released in fiscal year 2018. The purchaseinvestment of intangible film rights and content rights in fiscal year 2018 was $186.82020 to $132.2 million, compared to $173.5$107.7 million in fiscal year 2017, an increase of $13.32019 and decrease in restricted deposits to $4.8 million, or 7.7%.compared to $ 55.9 million in fiscal year 2019.

 

Net cash generated fromused in financing activities in fiscal year 20182020 was $77.4$24.3 million compared to $5.9net cash inflow of $84.1 million in fiscal year 2017, an increase2019, a decrease of $71.5$108.4 million, or 1,205.7%128.9%, primarily dueon account of reduction in the proceeds from issuedebt/increase in repayment of debt by $64.7 million and reduction in proceeds from share capital of $16.6 million, proceeds from sale of shares of a subsidiary of $40.2 million and share application money of 18.0by $49.7 million.


YearCash flow movement for the year ended March 31, 2017 Compared2019 compared to Year Endedyear ended March 31, 20162018

 

Net cash generated from operating activities in fiscal year 20172019 was $99$75.0 million compared to $235$83.2 million in the in fiscal year 2016,2018, a decrease of $136$8.2 million, or 57.9%9.9%, primarily due to decrease in working capital movement of $119.8$65.1 million, mainly attributable to increase in trade receivables to $91.9by $88.5 million and decreaseincrease in trade payables by $27.3 million. The cash flow from$23.4 million and as a result of lower operating activities has also decreased due to increase in interest paidprofit before exceptional item generated in fiscal 2017 to $18.4 millionyear 2019 as compared to $12.5 million.fiscal year 2018.

 

Net cash used in investing activities in fiscal year 20172019 was $175.2$157.7 million compared to $211.4$185.4 million in fiscal year 2016,2018, a decrease of $36.2$27.7 million, or 17.1%14.9%, reflecting the changeprimarily as a result of investment in mix of films releasedrestricted deposits amounting to $53.5 million in fiscal year 20172019 and our investmentoffset by the decrease in upcoming film slate. The purchase of intangible film rights and content rights in fiscal year 20172019 was $173.5$107.7 million, compared to $211.3$186.8 million in fiscal year 2016, a2018, decrease of $37.8$79.1 million, or 17.9%42.3%.

 

Net cash generated from financing activities in fiscal year 20172019 was $5.9$84.1 million compared to $7.6$77.4 million in fiscal year 2016, a decrease2018, an increase of $1.7$6.7 million, or 22.4%8.7%, primarily due to repaymentas a result of debtthe proceeds from the issuance of $118.3 million compared to $99.7 millionshare capital and an increase in short-term borrowings in fiscal 2016 which is offset by proceeds from debt and equity of $92.8 million and $31.4 million respectively and $95.5 million and $11.8 million respectively in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016.year, 2019.

 

Capital expenditures

 

In fiscal year 2018, we2020, the company invested $186.8over $265.3 million (of which cash outflow is $132.2 million) in film content, and in fiscal 2019 we expect2021 the company expects to invest approximately $200$150 to $250$160 million in film content.

 

C. Research and Development

 

Not applicable

 

D. Trend Information

 

New accounting pronouncements issuedStandards, amendments and Interpretations to existing Standards that are not yet effective and have not been adopted early by the Group.

At the date of authorization of these financial statements, several new, but not yet effective,

Certain new accounting standards, interpretations and amendments to existing standards, and interpretations have been published by the IASB. None of these standards, amendments or interpretations have been adopted early by the Group.

Management anticipates that are mandatoryall relevant pronouncements will be adopted for our accounting periodsthe first period beginning on or after April 1, 2018 or later periods. Those whichthe effective date of the pronouncement. New Standards, amendments and Interpretations neither adopted nor listed below have not been disclosed as they are considerednot expected to be relevant tohave a material impact on the Group’s operations are set out below.financial statements.

 

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.3 “Business Combinations”

 

In October 2018, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 15 replaces3 “Business Combinations” regarding the following standards and interpretations:definition of a “Business.” The amendments:

 

·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
clarify that to be considered a business, an acquired set of activities and assets must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs;

narrow the definitions of a business and of outputs by focusing on goods and services provided to customers and by removing the reference to an ability to reduce costs;

add guidance and illustrative examples to help entities assess whether a substantive process has been acquired;

remove the assessment of whether market participants are capable of replacing any missing inputs or processes and continuing to produce outputs; and

add an optional concentration test that permits a simplified assessment of whether an acquired set of activities and assets is not a business.

 

When first applying IFRS 15, it should be applied in fullThe above amendments are effective for business combinations for which the current period, including retrospective application to all contracts that were not yet complete atacquisition date is on or after 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 priorfirst annual reporting 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, 2018.2020.

The Company is currently evaluating the impact of these amendments on its consolidated financial statements.

94 

IAS 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements”

In October 2018, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements” (“IAS 1”) and IAS 8 “Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors” (“IAS 8”) which revised the definition of “Material.” Three aspects of the new definition should especially be noted, as described below:

Obscuring: The existing definition only focused on omitting or misstating information, however, the Board concluded that obscuring material information with information that can be omitted can have a similar effect. Although the term obscuring is new in the definition, it was already part of IAS 1 (IAS 1.30A);

Could reasonably be expected to influence: The existing definition referred to “could influence” which the Board felt might be understood as requiring too much information as almost anything “could influence” the decisions of some users even if the possibility is remote;

Primary users: The existing definition referred only to ‘users’ which again the Board feared might be understood too broadly as requiring them to consider all possible users of financial statements when deciding what information to disclose.

The amendments highlight five ways in which material information can be obscured:

if the language regarding a material item, transaction or other event is vague or unclear;

if information regarding a material item, transaction or other event is scattered in different places in the financial statements;

if dissimilar items, transactions or other events are inappropriately aggregated;

if similar items, transactions or other events are inappropriately disaggregated; and

if material information is hidden by immaterial information to the extent that it becomes unclear what information is material.

The new definition of material and the accompanying explanatory paragraphs are contained in IAS 1. The definition of material in IAS 8 has been replaced with a reference to IAS 1.

The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2020. Earlier application is permitted.

The Group expects to apply this standard retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this standard recognized at April 1, 2018 (i.e. the date of initial application in accordance with this standard). The Group does not expectCompany is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of the standardthese amendments on opening reserve to be material.its consolidated financial statements.

 

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments:In July 2014,January 23, 2020, the IASB finalized and issued IFRS 9 –amendments to IAS 1 “Presentation of Financial Instruments. IFRS 9 replaces Statements” (“IAS 39 “Financial instruments: recognition and measurement,1”) to clarify the previous Standard which dealt withclassification criteria of liabilities in the recognition and measurementstatement of financial instruments in its entirety upon the former’sposition. The most significant changes are listed below:

·Classification of liabilities as current or non-current should be based on rights to defer settlement that are in existence at the end of the reporting period

·Classification of a liability is unaffected by the likelihood that the entity will exercise its right to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting period’. That is, management’s intention to settle in the short run does not impact the classification.

·‘Settlement’ is defined as the extinguishment of a liability with cash, other economic resources or an entity’s own equity instruments.

·Clarifies that if the right to defer settlement is conditional on the compliance with covenants the right exists if the conditions are met at the end of the reporting period,

·Clarifies that if a liability has terms that could, at the option of the counterparty, result in its settlement by the transfer of the entity’s own equity instruments, these terms do not affect its classification as current or non-current if the entity recognises the option separately as an equity instrument applying IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation.

95 

The amendments are effective date.for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2022. Earlier application is permitted.

 

The Key requirementsCompany is currently evaluating the impact of IFRS 9:these amendments on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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.37 “Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Asset”

 

RequiresOn May 14, 2020, the IASB issued amendment to IAS 37 by specifying that the ‘cost of fulfilling’ a contract comprises the ‘costs that relate directly to the contract’. Costs that relate directly to a contract consist of both the incremental costs of fulfilling that contract (examples would be direct labour or materials) and an entityallocation of other costs that relate directly to presentfulfilling contracts (an example would be the amountallocation of changethe depreciation charge for an item of property, plant and equipment used in fair value due to change in entity’s own credit risk in other comprehensive income.fulfilling the contract).

 

Introduces new impairment model, under whichThe Company is currently evaluating the “expected” credit loss are required to be recognized as compared to the existing “incurred” credit loss modelimpact of IAS 39.these amendments on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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 isThe amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 1, 2018.


Earlier2022. Early 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.

Interest Rate Benchmark Reform

In September 26, 2019, IASB introduced amendments, which modified specific hedge accounting requirements, so that entities would apply those hedge accounting requirements assuming that the interest rate benchmark is not altered as a result of the interest rate benchmark reform.

The changes will mandatorily apply to all hedging relationships that are directly affected by the interest rate benchmark reform.

 

The Group does not expect the impact of adoption of the standard to be material.

Further, in October 2017, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issued an additional amendment to IFRS 9. Basedhave any significant impact on the amendmentits consolidated financial assets containing prepayment features with negative compensation can now be measured at amortised cost or at fair value through other comprehensive income if they meet the other relevant requirements under IFRS 9.statements.

 

The effective date for adoption of the amendment is 1 January 2019. Further, the amendment must be applied retrospectively and earlier application is permitted. The amendment provides specific transition provision if it is only applied in 2019 rather than in 2018 with the rest of IFRS 9. The Group does not believe that this amendment will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

IFRS 16 Leases: On January 13, 2016, the International Accounting Standards Board issued the final version of IFRS 16, Leases. IFRS 16 will replace the existing leases Standard, IAS 17 Leases, and related Interpretations. The Standard sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract i.e., the lessee and the lessor. IFRS 16 introduces a single lessee accounting model and requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities for all leases with a term of more than 12 months, unless the underlying asset is of low value. Currently, operating lease expenses are charged to the statement of comprehensive income. The Standard also contains enhanced disclosure requirements for lessees. IFRS 16 substantially carries forward the lessor accounting requirements in IAS 17.

The effective date for adoption of IFRS 16 is annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019, though2020, although early adoption is permitted for companies applying IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Group is yet to evaluate the requirements of IFRS 16 and the impact on the consolidated financial statements.permitted.

 

IFRIC 22, Foreign currency transactionsIFRS 16 “Leases”

On May 15, 2020, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 16 to make it easier for lessees to account for COVID-19-related rent concessions such as rent holidays and Advance consideration: On December 8, 2016, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issued IFRS interpretation IFRIC 22, Foreign currency transactions and Advance consideration which clarifies the datetemporary rent reductions.

The amendment exempts lessees from having to consider individual lease contracts to determine whether rent concessions occurring as a direct consequence of the transactioncovid-19 pandemic are lease modifications and allows lessees to account for the purpose of determining the exchange ratesuch rent concessions as if they were not lease modifications. It applies to usecovid-19-related rent concessions that reduce lease payments due on initial recognition of the related asset, expense or income, when an entity has received or paid advance consideration in a foreign currency. Thebefore 30 June 2021

These amendments are effective date for adoption of IFRIC 22 is annual reporting periods beginning on or after JanuaryJune 1, 2018, though early adoption2020, with earlier application is permitted. The GroupCompany is currently evaluating the effectimpact of IFRIC 22 on the consolidated financial statements.

IFRIC 23, Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments:In June 2017, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issuedamendment to IFRS interpretation IFRIC 23 — Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments which is to be applied while performing the determination of taxable profit (or loss), tax bases, unused tax losses, unused tax credits and tax rates, when there is uncertainty over income tax treatments under IAS 12.

According to IFRIC 23, companies need to determine the probability of the relevant tax authority accepting each tax treatment, or group of tax treatments, that the companies have used or plan to use in their income tax filing which has to be considered to compute the most likely amount or the expected value of the tax treatment when determining taxable profit (tax loss), tax bases, unused tax losses, unused tax credits and tax rates.

The standard permits two possible methods of transition:

·Full retrospective approach – Under this approach, IFRIC 23 will be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented in accordance with IAS 8 – Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors
·Retrospectively with cumulative effect of initially applying IFRIC 23 recognized by adjusting equity on initial application, without adjusting comparatives

The effective date for adoption of IFRIC 23 is annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019, though early adoption is permitted. The Group does not believe that this amendment will have a material impact16 on its consolidated financial statements.

96 

Amendment to IAS 28:In October 2017, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issued an amendment to IAS 28, to address the issue on accounting of long term interests in Associates and Joint ventures. The amendments clarify that an entity applies IFRS 9 Financial Instruments to long-term interests in an associate or joint venture to which the equity method is not applied but that, in substance, form part of the net investment in the associate or joint venture (long-term interests). This clarification is relevant because it implies that the expected credit loss model in IFRS 9 applies to such long-term interests.

The effective date for adoption of the amendment is 1 January 2019, however early adoption is permitted with disclosures. The Group does not believe that this amendment will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Amendment to IAS 19: In February, 2018, the International Accounting standards issued an amendment to IAS 19 to address the accounting when a plan amendment, curtailment or settlement occurs during a reporting period. The amendments specify that when a plan amendment, curtailment or settlement occurs during the annual reporting period, an entity is required to:

Determine current service cost for the remainder of the period after the plan amendment, curtailment or settlement, using the actuarial assumptions used to remeasure the net defined benefit liability (asset) reflecting the benefits offered under the plan and the plan assets after that event determine net interest for the remainder of the period after the plan amendment, curtailment or settlement using: the net defined benefit liability (asset) reflecting the benefits offered under the plan and the plan assets after that event; and the discount rate used to remeasure that net defined benefit liability (asset).

The effective date for adoption of the amendment is 1 January 2019, however early adoption is permitted. Given that the Group does not have any amendments to its defined benefit plan, the amendment does not have any impact on the Group.

Amendments to IFRS 2, Share-based payment: In June 2016, the International Accounting Standards Board issued the amendments to IFRS 2, providing specific guidance for measurement of cash-settled awards, modification of cash-settled awards and awards that include a net settlement feature in respect of withholding taxes. It clarifies that the fair value of cash-settled awards is determined on a basis consistent with that used for equity-settled awards. Market-based performance conditions and non-vesting conditions are reflected in the ‘fair values’, but non-market performance conditions and service vesting conditions are reflected in the estimate of the number of awards expected to vest. Also, the amendment clarifies that if the terms and conditions of a cash-settled share-based payment transaction are modified with the result that it becomes an equity-settled share-based payment transaction, the transaction is accounted for as such from the date of the modification. Further, the amendment requires the award that includes a net settlement feature in respect of withholding taxes to be treated as equity-settled in its entirety. The cash payment to the tax authority is treated as if it was part of an equity settlement. The effective date for adoption of the amendments to IFRS 2 is annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, though early adoption is permitted. The Group does not believe that this amendment will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.


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, 2018.2020. 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,
2017
  September 30,
2017
  December 31,
2017
  March 31,
2018
 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Selected Quarterly Results of Operations                
Revenue $60,832  $63,308  $65,187  $71,926 
Cost of sales  (34,955)  (35,155)  (30,528)  (34,070)
Gross profit  25,877   28,153   34,659   37,856 
Administrative costs  (14,186)  (16,715)  (19,567)  (17,561)
Operating profit  11,691   11,438   15,092   20,295 
Net finance costs  (5,384)  (5,169)  (2,243)  (5,017)
Other losses  (1,523)  (3,222)  (8,505)  (28,071)
(Loss)/profit before tax  4,784   3,047   4,344   (12,793)
Income tax expense  (2,986)  (831)  (1,143)  (4,167)
(Loss)/Profit for the year $1,798  $2,216  $3,201  $(16,960)
                 
OTHER NON-GAAP MEASURES                
EBITDA(1) $10,800  $8,842  $7,279  $(6,735)
Adjusted EBITDA(1) $15,810  $15,123  $23,567  $24,075 
Gross Adjusted EBITDA(1) $47,822  $43,827  $50,173  $52,038 
                 
OPERATING DATA                
High budget film releases(2)  1          
Medium budget film releases(2)  1   2      1 
Low budget film releases(2)  3   5   4   7 
Total new film releases(2)  5   7   4   8 

  Three Months Ended 
  June 30,
2019
  September 30,
2019
  December 31,
2019
  March 31,
2020
 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Selected Quarterly Results of Operations            
Revenue $42,252  $31,371  $48,736  $33,093 
Cost of sales  (16,544)  (16,919)  (22,113)  (26,149)
Gross profit  25,708   14,452   26,623   6,944 
Administrative costs  (25,970)  (29,082)  (19,784)  (69,483)
Operating profit/(loss) before impairment loss  (262)  (14,630)  6,839   (62,539)
Impairment Loss           (431,200)
Operating profit/(loss)  (262)  (14,630)  6,839   (493,739)
Net finance costs  (2,147)  (2,253)  (1,158)  (3,221)
Other gains/(losses), net  8,051   (11,326)  (19,822)  19,781 
Profit/(loss) before tax  5,642   (28,209)  (14,141)  (477,179)
Income tax  (1,834)  (891)  (3,991)  28,899 
Profit/(loss) for the year $3,808  $(29,100) $(18,132) $(448,280)
                 
OTHER NON-GAAP MEASURES                
EBITDA(1) $8,404  $(25,278) $(12,344) $(472,428)
Adjusted EBITDA (1) $17,380  $6,748  $19,953  $10,761 
Gross Adjusted EBITDA (1) $29,257  $19,140  $39,971  $30,925 
                 

 

OPERATING DATA

                
High budget film releases(3)            
Medium budget film releases(3)        2    
Low budget film releases(3)  12   11   4   1 
Total new film releases(3)  12   11   6   1 

 

(1)We use EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Gross 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(gain)/impairment of available-for-sale financial assets, profit/loss on held for trading liabilities (including profit/loss on derivative financial instruments), transactions costs relating to equity transactions, share based payments, Loss / (Gain) on sale of property and equipment, Loss on de-recognition of financial assets measured at amortized cost, net, Credit impairment loss, net, Loss on financial liability (convertible notes) measured at fair value through profit and loss, Loss on deconsolidation of a subsidiary and Impairmentexceptional items such as impairment of goodwill.goodwill, trade-mark, film and content rights and content advances. Gross Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Adjusted EBITDA adjusted for amortization of intangible film and content rights. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Gross Adjusted 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 Adjusted EBITDA and Gross Adjusted 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, Adjusted EBITDA and Gross 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, Adjusted EBITDA and Gross 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;

97 

·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.

 81

there are significant limitations to using EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Gross 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. Adjusted EBITDA and Gross Adjusted EBITDA reported by different companies.

 

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

 

 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
2017
  September 30,
2017
  December 31,
2017
  March 31,
2018
  June 30,
2019
  September 30,
2019
  December 31,
2019
  March 31,
2020
 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
(Loss)/Profit for the year $1,798   2,216   3,201  $(16,960) $3,808  $(29,100) $(18,132) $(448,280)
Income tax expense  2,986   831   1,143   4,167   1,834   891   3,991   (28,899)
Net finance costs  5,384   5,169   2,243   5,017   2,147   2,253   1,158   3,221 
Depreciation  263   270   305   427   391   454   415   1,308 
Amortization(a)  369   356   387   614   224   224   224   222 
EBITDA (Non-GAAP)  10,800   8,842   7,279   (6,735) $8,404   (25,278) $(12,344) $(472,428)
Impairment charge on available -for- sale financial assets           2,436 
Share based payments(b)  5,189   2,282   6,031   4,416   3,666   5,717   4,317   8,568 
Net (gain)/loss on derivative financial instruments  (183)  (786)  1,555    
Reversal credit impairment losses/(gains)  (1,287)  (1,987)  (2,902)  (4,207)
Loss on de-recognition of financial assets measured at amortized cost, net     1,778   930   854   270   726   1,625   2,664 
Credit impairment losses, net     3,007   1,439   (138)  10,805   13,089   12,642   54,272 
Loss /(Gain) on sale of property and equipment  4       14   (20)  4       2   64 
Loss on financial liability (convertible notes) measured at fair value through profit and loss        (6,976)  20,816   (4,985)  14,142   16,590   (9,760)
Loss on deconsolidation of a subsidiary        13,294   1,355 
Impairment of goodwill           1,205 
Others        1   (114)
Impairment Loss           431,200 
Fair value of receivables  (306)  306       
Net losses/(gains) of available- for- sale measured at FVTPL  809   33   23   388 
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) $15,810   15,123   23,567  $24,075  $17,380  $6,748  $19,953  $10,761 
Amortization of intangible film and content rights  32,012   28,704   26,606   27,963   11,877   12,392   20,018   20,164 
Gross Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) $47,822   43,827   50,173  $52,038  $29,257  $19,140  $39,971  $30,925 

 _________________

a)Includes only amortization of intangible assets other than intangible content assets.
b)Consists of compensation costs recognizedrecognised with respect to all outstanding plans and all other equity settled instruments.
2)(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 fiscal year 2018, revenue fluctuations primarily reflected the timing of major theatrical releases, with our highest quarterly revenues of $71.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 mainly due revenues from theatrical release of Bajrangi Bhaijaan in China as well as revenue contribution from Eros Now. The lowest quarterly revenues was of $60.8 million in the three months ended June 30, 2017. The fluctuations in other gains/ losses, net primarily reflect loss from deconsolidation of a subsidiary, loss on financial liability (convertible notes) measured accounted at Fair Value Through Profit and Loss, Impairment of available-for-sale financial assets and goodwill.

Our quarterly results can vary from one period 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.


98 

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, 2018,2020, the Group has provided certain stand-by letters of credit amounting to $53.9 million (2017: $80.6$Nil (2019: $53.6 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.

 

In addition, the Group issued financial guarantees amounting to $1.2$0.03 million (2017: $2.2(2019: $0.5 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, 2018.2020.

 

 As of March 31, 2018  As of March 31, 2020 
 Total  Less than
1 year
  1-3
years
  3-5
years
  More than
5 years
  Total  Less than
1 year
  1-3
years
  3-5
years
  More than
5 years
 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Recorded Contractual Obligations                                        
Debt $278,156  $152,330  $50,650  $75,176  $  $179,371  $117,097  $62,274  $  $ 
Operating leases  1,553   723   830       
Total  180,924   117,820   63,104       
                                        
Unrecorded Contractual Obligations                                        
Film entertainment rights purchase obligations(1)  450,469   85,893   138,183   92,427   133,966 
Interest payments on Lease Liability  163   99   64       
Operating leases  416   149   267         623   229   394       
Film entertainment rights purchase obligations(1)  336,144   119,718   135,869   79,444   1,113 
Interest payments on debt(2)  48,750   26,024   15,319   7,407      23,741   17,500   6,241       
Total  385,310   145,891   151,455   86,851   1,113   474,996   103,721   144,882   92,427   133,966 

 

(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 14.5%.16.45%..

 

G. Safe Harbor

 

See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of this annual report.


ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

 

A. Directors and Executive Officers

 

Our Boardboard of Directorsdirectors presently consists of eightseven directors.

 

The following table sets forth the name, age (as at JulyJune 30, 2018)2020) and position of each of our directors and executive officers as at the date hereof.

 

NameAgeAgePosition/s
Directors  
Kishore Lulla5658Executive Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Jyoti DeshpandePrem Parameswaran47Director
Vijay Ahuja5161Executive Director, Vice ChairmanPresident of North America & Group Chief Financial Officer
Sunil Lulla5455Director, Executive Vice Chairman
Dilip Thakkar(1)Thakkar(1)(2)(3)(4)8183Director, Chairman of Audit Committee
David Maisel(1)56Director
Rishika Lulla Singh3133Director
Shailendra Swarup(1)Swarup(1)(2)(3)(4)7375Director, Chairman of Remuneration Committee and Nomination Committee
Senior ManagementDhirendra Swarup(1)(2)75Director
  
Prem ParameswaranSenior Management49President of North America & Group
Ridhima Lulla28Chief FinancialContent Officer
Kumar Ahuja41Chief Operating Officer, Eros India
Mark Carbeck4648Chief Corporate &and Strategy Officer
Pranab KapadiaPradeep Dwivedi46President of Europe and Africa Operations49Chief Executive Officer, Eros India
Surender SadhwaniAli Hussein62President of Middle East Operations40Chief Executive Officer, Eros Now

______________

(1) Independent Director

(2) Member of the Audit Committee

(3) Member of the Remuneration Committee

(4) Member of the Nomination Committee

(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 Lullais athe Group Chief Executive Officer, Managing directorDirector and our Executive Chairman. Mr. Lulla received a bachelor’s degree in Artsarts from the Mumbai University. He has over 3536 years of experience in the media and film industry. He has served as a director since April 2006. He is a member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and Young Presidents’ Organization and is also a board member forof 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“Entrepreneur of the YearYear” at the GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards and Inin 2014, Forbes Asia featured Mr. Kishore Lulla onin the list of Best‘Best under a Billion.Billion’. He was also honored with the 2014 Global Citizenship Award by the American Jewish Committee, a leading global Jewish advocacy organization. Mr. Lulla also received the Entertainment Visionary award at the 2015 Annual Gala Dinner from the Asia Society Southern California. In 2015, he was further invited to attend the “billionaires’ summer camp” in Sun Valley, an annual gathering of the world’s most powerful entrepreneurs and business executives. As our Chairman, he has been instrumental in expanding our presence in the United Kingdom, the U.S.,United States, Dubai and Australia Fiji and other international markets. Recently,In 2018, he was featured in the Variety 500 List ‘influentiallist of “influential business leaders shaping the global $2 trillion entertainment industry’industry”. Mr. Kishore Lulla is the father of Mrs. Rishika Lulla Singh and Ms. Ridhima Lulla, the brother of Mr. Sunil Lulla and a cousin of Mr. Vijay Ahuja and Mr. Surender Sadhwani.

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Ms. Jyoti DeshpandeMr. Prem Parameswaran is a directorour Executive Director, Group Chief Financial Officer and President of Eros International Plc’s North American operations. Mr. Parameswaran joined us in June 2015 and was appointed to our Board of Directors in December 2018. Mr. Parameswaran has over 25close to 30 years of experience in the Media, Entertainment and Technology sectors. Prior to joining Eros, Mr. Parameswaran had over 23 years of experience in investment banking, advising clients in the global telecommunications, media and entertainment across advertising, media consulting, televisiontechnology sector, including on mergers and films. She has been part of the leadership team of Eros since 2001acquisitions and most recentlypublic, private equity and debt financings. Mr. Parameswaran previously served as Group CEOthe Global Head of Eros International PLC. In her role she helped spearhead Eros’s growth as a global leader in Indian filmed entertainment. Ms. Deshpande has served as a director since June 2012. From April 2018, Ms. Deshpande has joined Reliance Industries to head the Media and Entertainment business as PresidentTelecommunications Investment Banking at Jefferies LLC. Prior to Jefferies, he was the Americas Head of the Chairman’s Office. Ms. Deshpande was featured in the prestigious Fortune India magazine’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business (2017/2015) which celebrates the journeysMedia & Telecom at Deutsche Bank and triumphs of women who not only impact their organizations but are also thought leaders in their industry. Ms. Deshpande’s continues to serve on the Boards of Eros International Media Limitedpreviously worked at both Goldman Sachs and Eros International PLC.


Salomon Brothers. Throughout his career, he has executed over 300 transactions. Mr. Vijay Ahujais a director and our Vice Chairman. Mr. Ahuja receivedParameswaran graduated from Columbia University with a bachelor’s degree in commercearts and received a master’s degree in business administration from Mumbai University.Columbia Business School. Mr. Ahuja co-founded our United Kingdom business in 1988Parameswaran also serves on the boards of the Columbia University Alumni Trustee Nominating Committee and has since played an important role in implementing our key international strategies, helping expand our businessthe Program for Financial Studies at Columbia Business School. In 2018 Mr. Parameswaran was named one of the “10 most Dynamic CFOs to its present scalewatch” by making a significant contribution to our development in the South East Asian markets, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Hong Kong.Insights Success magazine. In January 2020, Mr. Ahuja has servedParameswaran was nominated by President Donald J. Trump as a director since April 2006. Mr. Ahujamember of the Presidential Advisory Commission for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. He was officially sworn in as a Commissioner on January 27,2020 and is a cousin of Mr. Kishore Lulla and Mr. Sunil Lulla.the only Indian American on the 13 member Commission.

 

Mr. Sunil Lullais a directoran Executive Director in our Company and is the Executive Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Eros India. He received a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the Mumbai University. Mr. Lulla has over 25 years of experience in the media and entertainment 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 into home entertainment and music. He has served as a director since April 2006 and led to our growth within India for many years before being appointed as the Executive Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Eros India on September 28, 2009. Mr. Sunil Lulla is the brother of Mr. Kishore Lulla, uncle of Mrs. Rishika Lulla Singh and the cousin of Mr. Ahuja and Mr. Surender Sadhwani.

Mr. Dilip Thakkar is an Independent Director in our Company. Mr. Thakkar received bachelor’s a degree in commerce and in 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 for 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, the chairman of its International Taxation Committee. Mr. Thakkar serves as an independent director of six public limited companies and five private limited companies in India and sixteen foreign companies. He has served as a director since April 2006.

 

Mrs. Rishika Lulla Singhis a directoran Executive Director in our Company and the CEOChairman 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 Ofof Oriental and African Studies with a BAbachelor’s degree in arts 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 named Youngas “Young Entrepreneur of the YearYear” by the 2016 Asian Business Awards. RecentlyIn 2018, she won the award for 'Women“Women Leadership in Industry'Industry” at the ‘Times“Times National Awards for Marketing Excellence’Excellence”, “40 Under 40 Business Leaders” by BW Business World and featured in Top“Top Women CEOsCEOs” by India Today. Mrs. Lulla Singh is the daughter of Mr. Kishore Lulla, the sister of Ms Ridhima Lulla and the niece of Mr. Sunil Lulla. She has served as director since November 2014.

 

Mr. Shailendra Swarup is a Director.an Independent Director in our Company. Mr. Swarup is a practicing lawyer in India since 1965 and has over 5053 years of experience as corporate attorney in India. He is senior partner of the law firm Swarup & Company, New Delhi, India. He has served as a director since July 2017. His vast experience includes advising Indian and foreign with respect to transborder transactions, acquisitions, joint ventures, technology transfers in diverse sectors and industry. He presently serves as an independent Director on the Board of 67 public companies and 43 private companies. He was one of the members of Confederation of Indian Industry (“CII”("CII") Task Force which formulated for the first time in India the Code for corporate governance. He was member of the Committee constituted by the Reserve Bank of India for governance of public sector banks and financial institutions in India. He advised National Council for Applied Economic Research on and reviewed the draft Bill of the Newnew Electricity Act. He advised National Highways Authority of India and the Planning Commission of India on development of documentation for infrastructure Projects through build operate transfer model and public private partnership. Mr. Shailendra Swarup is a cousin of Mr. Dhirendra Swarup (i.e. son of the elder brother of the father of Mr. Dhirendra Swarup). He has served as a director since July 2017.


Mr. Dilip ThakkarDhirendra Swarupis a director. Mr. Thakkar received a degreean Independent Director in Commerce and Law from Mumbai University. A practicing chartered accountant since 1961, Mr. Thakkar has significant financial experience.our Company. He is a senior partner of Jayantilal Thakkar & Co. Chartered Accountantsgovernment-certified accountant and a member of the Institute of Chartered AccountantsPublic Auditors of India, Mr. Swarup holds a postgraduate degree in India. In 1986humanities. A career bureaucrat, he wasretired as secretary of Ministry of Finance, Government of India in 2005. He possesses a vast experience of over 45 years in the finance sector and has also worked in UK, Turkey and Georgia. He served as the Chairman of Financial Sector Redress Agency Task Force appointed by the Reserve BankGovernment of India, he is also on the Board of several listed companies besides acting as a member and the Chairman of several committees. In the past, he has held many key positions and responsibilities like being a member of the Indian Advisory Board for HSBC Bank and the British Bank of the Middle East forSEBI, a period of eight years. He is the former Presidentmember of the Bombay Chartered Accountants’ Society and was then ChairmanPermanent High-level Committee on Financial Markets, chairman of itsthe Pension Funds Regulatory Authority, Chief of the Budget Bureau of the Government of India, a member secretary of the Financial Sector Reforms Commission, chairman of Public Debt Management Authority Task Force, Vice-Chairman of the International Taxation Committee. Mr Thakkar serves as an Independent DirectorNetwork on Financial Education of seven public limited companies and seven private limited companies in India and twelve foreign companies.OECD. Mr. Dhirendra Swarup is a cousin of Mr. Shailendra Swarup Swarup (i.e. son of the younger brother of the father of Mr. Shailendra Swarup). He has served as a director since April 2006.July 2019.

 

Mr.Mr David Maiselis a director. Mr. Maisel is Chairman of Mythos Studios which he and Scooter Braun launched in early 2018. Mr. Maisel was an Advisor to Rovio, retired from the owners of Angry Birds,company’s Board on March 26, 2020.

Mr Shailendra Swarup will retire from 2011 - 2017 and is the Executive Producerboard upon the closing of the Angry Birds feature film which was released in May 2016. Mr. Maisel is also a Director at Gaia, 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.STX transaction.


 

Senior Management

Mr. Prem ParameswaranMs Ridhima Lulla is our Group Chief FinancialContent Officer, with a core focus on the creative expression for Eros Now, the premier Indian OTT platform controlled by Eros International Plc. She has previously worked for STX Entertainment, Credit Suisse and Presidentwas integral to several Eros film projects including Ra.One and Dr Cabbie representing different roles. Ridhima has been strengthening the original content strategy for Eros Now, the leading cutting edge rapidly growing OTT (Over-the-top) platform of Eros International’s North America operations.Digital. Ms Lulla has degrees in Film Production from University of California, a bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Liberal Arts and Sciences from Regent’s University London. She also did several Diplomas in Digital Film-Making from New York Film Academy. Ms. Lulla is the daughter of Mr. Parameswaran joinedKishore Lulla, the sister of Mrs Rishika Lulla Singh and the niece of Mr. Sunil Lulla

Mr Kumar Ahuja is Chief Operating Officer of Eros withInternational Media Limited, our majority-controlled Indian operating subsidiary. Mr. Ahuja has over 2322 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 asentertainment industry. Mr Ahuja assumed the Global Headrole of Chief Operating Officer in 2019 to lead the company’s initiatives in Media and Telecommunications Investment Banking at Jefferies LLC. PriorEntertainment and to Jefferies, he wasorganically build and grow businesses around the Americas Head of Media & Telecom at Deutsche Bankcontent ecosystems such as Films, Music, TV, Digital, Airborne and also previously worked at both Goldman Sachsvarious other revenue departments. He has been instrumental in negotiating and Salomon Brothers. Throughout his career, he has executed over 300 transactions. Mr. Parameswaran graduated from Columbia University withsecuring the company’s distribution partnerships which remains a BAkey focus area, including spearheading Bollywood and received an MBA from Columbia Business School. Mr. Parameswaran joined us in June 2015. Mr. Parameswaran also serves on the Boards of the Columbia University Alumni Trustee Nominating Committeeopening various new markets like China, Korea, Taiwan and the Program for Financial Studies at Columbia Business School. Mr. Parameswaran was invited to the White House Oval Office Reception for Diwali in 2017 with President Trump.

Hong Kong among others.

Mr. Mark Carbeck isour Chief Corporate & Strategy Officer, with management responsibility for Investor Relations, Group M&A,Merger and Acquisition, and Corporate Finance. Mr. Carbeck was formerly a Directordirector in Citigroup’s Investment Banking Divisiondivision in London, havingwhere he joined the firm inits New York office in 1997. He has over 1823 years of experience. Most recentlyexperience in the investment banking and corporate finance. Mr. Carbeck previously led the European Mediamedia investment banking coverage efforts at Citigroup and has deep media industry knowledge and strong relationships with major United Kingdom and internationalglobal media companies. Mr. Carbeck graduated from the University of Chicago in 1994 with a Bachelor’sbachelor’s degree in History.history. Mr. Carbeck joined us in April 2014.

Mr. Pranab KapadiaPradeep Dwivedi isPresident Marketing & Distribution Chief Executive Officer of Eros International Media Limited, our UK, Europemajority-controlled Indian operating subsidiary. He is an accomplished industry leader with over two decades of experience in the advertising, media, technology and Africa Operations. Mr. Kapadia received a Master’s degreetelecom sectors, with established credentials in Management Studies (MMS) from Bombay University, majoring in Finance.digital infotainment business as well as print media, news television channels and experiential events. He has a demonstrated track record in revenue growth, sales and marketing, value creation, joint ventures and partnerships, corporate investments, business operations and general management. In the past, he has been CEO of Sakal Media Group, Chief Corporate Sales & Marketing Officer of Dainik Bhaskar Group, and worked in leadership positions with organisations including Tata Teleservices, American Express, GE Capital, Standard Chartered Bank & Eicher Motors in India. He is an active participant in many media industry associations, such as Director of IAA (India Chapter) and a managing committee member of The Advertising Club of India. Mr Dwivedi holds B. Sc and MBA degrees from Panjab University.

102 

Mr. Ali Hussein is our Chief Executive Officer of Eros Now, the premier Indian OTT platform controlled by Eros International Plc. Mr. Hussein has over 2318 years of experience in the Indian TV & Film Industry,media, entertainment and digital space. Mr. Hussein has previously having servedbeen a Board Advisor to Discovery Networks and other start-ups in the media and technology domain. Prior to that, He has worked with Zee NetworkGoogle/YouTube where Mr. Hussein ran the charter for 10 years as Head of Operations & Programming (Europe)content and later as Business Head of Adlabs Films (U.K.) Limited for one year.product partnerships in South Asia. Mr. Kapadia brings with him significant insight and a strong understandingHussein was an early employee of the entertainment needsJoint Venture between Network 18 and Viacom (Viacom 18), where he was responsible for the digital media strategy for all consumer facing media brands like Colors, MTV and others and prior to that with Hungama Digital Media where he managed the portfolio of South Asians internationally. Heglobal content acquisition and distribution. Mr. Hussein joined us in 2007.

Mr. Surender Sadhwaniis 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.January 2018.

 

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, Shailendra Swarup 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.


 

The following tables and footnotes show the remuneration of each of our directors for fiscal 2018:2020:

 

 Year ended March 31,  Year ended March 31, 
 2018
Salary
  2018
Director Fees
  2018
Benefits(1)
  2018
Total
  2017
Total
  2020
Salary
  2020
Director Fees
  2020
Benefits(1)
  2020
Total
  2019
Total
 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Kishore Lulla $1,331  $  $  $1,331  $1,306  $1,360  $  $  $1,360  $1,432 
Jyoti Deshpande  1,060         1,060   958 
Vijay Ahuja  286      32   318   378 
Sunil Lulla(2)  659      19   678   693 
Naresh Chandra     103      103   180 
Vijay Ahuja(3)  73      4   77   221 
Sunil Lulla(2)  804      17   821   778 
Dilip Thakkar     81      81   77      76      76   78 
David Maisel     95      95   91      93      93   95 
Rishika Lulla Singh  345         345   320   480         480   445 
Prem Parameswaran  450      35   485   485 
Shailendra Swarup     37      37         51      51   52 
Dhirendra Swarup     46      46    
Total $3,681  $316  $51  $4,048  $4,003  $3,167  $266  $56  $3,489  $3,586 

 

(1) Health insurance, except for Sunil Lulla (see Note (2) below).

(2)(1) Sunil Lulla’s fiscal 20182020 compensation consisted of the following (Indian Rupees translated to U.S. dollars at a rate of INR 64.570.79 per $1.00)

(3) Vijay Ahuja retired from the company’s Board on December 20th, 2018.

Particulars for Mr Sunil Lulla INR USD 
Basic salary 15,972,000 $247,710 
Reimbursements car/entertainment etc. 2,439,600  37,836 
Medical reimbursement 15,000  233 
Special pay 21,730,464  337,018 
Company rent accommodation 3,600,000  55,832 
Total India 43,757,064 $678,629 

(4) Mr. Dhirendra Swarup was appointed as a Director with effect from July 31, 2019.

103 

Particulars for Mr Sunil Lulla INR  USD 
Basic salary  51,446,124  $726,712 
Reimbursements car/entertainment etc.  39,600   559 
Company rent accommodation  1,200,000   16,951 
Total India  52,685,724  $744,222 

 

The total share based compensation paid to our executive officers in fiscal 20182020 was $12$24.2 million (2017: $16.5(2019: $16.2 million).

 

The following table and footnotes show the cost recognizedrecognised in fiscal 20182020 in respect to all outstanding plans and by grant of shares, which are all equity settled instruments, to our directors is as follows:

 

 Option
2014
  JSOP  June 09,
2015
  June 09,
2016
  November 22,
2017
  Total  Option
2014
 Option
2017
 June 28,
2016
 February 2,
2017
 November 22,
2017
 November 11,
2018
 March 3,
2019
 July 11,
2019
 February 28,
2020
 Total 
Kishore Lulla    $  $458  $961  $573  $1,992  $  $  $80  $  $249  $1,733  $  $1,560  $268   3,890 
Jyoti Deshpande       $366   769   458  $1,593         64      66        $  $   130 
Sunil Lulla       $366   769   458  $1,593         64      199   990     $858  $147   2,258 
Dilip Thakkar              47  $47                  151     $23  $   174 
Naresh Chandra                  
David Maisel $418              $418   88                    $  $   88 
Rishika Lulla Singh     61      769   458  $1,288      287   40      199   990     $892  $153   2,561 
Prem Parameswaran           61   363      2,089  $1,181  $   3,694 
Shailendra Swarup              47  $47                  151     $23  $   174 
Total $418  $61  $1,190  $3,268  $2,041  $6,978  $88  $287  $248  $61  $1,076  $4,015  $2,089  $4,537  $568  $12,969 

 

Eros India Incentive Compensation

 

Pursuant to the Board Resolution dated May 29, 2015 and May 26, 2017 passed by the Board of Directors of Eros India and Shareholders Resolution dated September 3, 2015 and September 28, 2017 passed by the Shareholders of Eros India, the incentive bonuscommission upto 1% of the net profits payable to Mr. Sunil Lulla and Mr. Kishore Lulla has been approved for the services rendered by Mr. Sunil Lulla and Mr. Kishore Lulla to Eros India, in accordance to the applicable laws. Mr. Sunil Lulla is eligible for incentive bonuscommission for the term of 5 (Five) years, until September 27,26, 2020 and Mr. Kishore Lulla is eligible for incentive bonuscommission for the term of 5 (Five) years, until October 31, 2022 respectively.2022. The Nomination and Remuneration Committee of Eros India will take into account the incentive bonus paid to both Mr. Sunil Lulla and Mr. Kishore Lulla, at the time of determination of compensation payable to each of them.


 

Share-BasedShare Based Compensation Plans

 

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

 

 Year ended March 31  Year ended March 31 
 2018  2017  2016  2020 2019 2018 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
IPO India Plan $1,572  $2,140  $1,736  $145 $1,198 $1,572 
JSOP Plan  615   3,622   2,696    615 
Option award scheme 2012  197   699   1,610    197 
2014 Share Plan  (22)  1,427   2,361   47  (22) 
2015 Share Plan  100   328   932 
Other share option awards(*)  7,283   4,405   894 
Management scheme (staff share grant)  8,173   10,850   20,763 
2015 Share Plan(*) 1,976 3,059 100 
Other share option awards(**) 7,829 5,346 7,283 
Management scheme (staff share grant) (***)  12,318  11,911  8,173 
 $17,918  $23,471  $30,992  $22,268 $21,561 $17,918 

104 

 

(*) includes 674,045 options granted towards Share Plan 2015 during twelve months ended March 31, 2020 at an exercise price of $ 2 per share and average grant date fair value of $ 0.82 per share. In February 2020, the exercise price of said options were modified to GBP 0.3, resulting in incremental fair value of $ 0.55 per share. In addition, includes 233,364 and 622,035 options granted in prior year/s and wherein the exercise price was modified to $ 2 per share and GBP 0.3 per share, respectively, resulting in incremental fair value of $ 0.55-0.63 per share and $ 1.18 per share, respectively.

(**) includes Restricted Share Unit (RSU) and Other share option plans. In respect of 4,899,280 units/options granted towards RSU during twelve months ended March 31, 2020, intrinsic value $ 1.94 per share approximates grant date fair value. Includes 873,000 options accelerated for immediate vesting as against original vesting period of 3 years, resulting in incremental fair value of $ $1.64 per share.

 

Joint Stock Ownership Plan (JSOP)

 

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’.

 

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

  Year ended March 31 
  2020  2019  2018 
Shares held at the beginning of the year  384,862   1,146,955   1,146,955 
Shares granted         
Shares exercised(*)         
Shares forfeiture/lapsed  (384,862)  (762,093)   
Shares held at the end of the year     384,862   1,146,955 
Unallocated shares held by trust  1,253,656   868,794   106,701 
      1,253,656   1,253,656 

  

  Year ended March 31 
  2018  2017  2016 
Shares held at the beginning of the year  1,146,967   1,239,497   1,723,657 
Shares granted        380,000 
Shares exercised     (92,530)  (573,260)
Shares forfeiture/lapsed        (290,900)
Shares held at the end of the year  1,146,967   1,146,967   1,239,497 
Unallocated shares held by trust  106,701   106,701   92,530 
   1,253,668   1,253,668   1,332,027 

(*) During the year unallocated shares held by the trust were issued to the content vendor at$3.6 per share.

  

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 PlanINR10INR10175
IPO Plan – June 2006150GBP 5.28
JSOP Plan$11.00 – 24.00
Option award scheme 2012$11.00
2014 Share Plan$14.97– 18.5016.25–$18.30
2015 Share Plan$7.40 – 33.122-33.12 & GBP 0.3
Other share option plans$18– $18.8816.00
Restricted Share Unit (RSU)RSU
Management Share Award

 

Employees covered under the stock option plans are granted an option to purchase shares of the Company at the respective exercise prices, subject to fulfilmentfulfillment 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.


The activity in these employee stock option plans is summarized below:

 

    Year ended March 31
    2020 2019 2018
  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 757,886 INR32.17 1,624,035 INR28.85 2,108,063 INR34.96
Granted         863,320  10.00
Exercised   (121,496)  10.00 (536,263)  10.00 (1,113,160)  32.19
Forfeited and lapsed   (156,775)  10.00 (329,886)  51.66 (234,188)  10.00
Outstanding at the end of the year   479,615  45.03 757,886  32.17 1,624,035  28.85
Exercisable at the end of the year   325,740 INR61.56 289,002 INR68.13 501,122 INR65.14
                  
Outstanding at the beginning of the year JSOP Plan 384,862 $11.00 1,146,955 $16.22 1,146,955 $16.22
Granted           
Exercised           
Forfeited and lapsed   (384,862)  11.00 (762,093)  18.86   
Outstanding at the end of the year    $ 384,862 $11.00 1,146,955 $16.22
Exercisable at the end of the year    $ 384,862 $11.00 728,736 $11.00
                  
Outstanding at the beginning of the year Option award scheme 2012  $ 674,045 $11.00 674,045 $11.00
Granted           
Exercised           
Forfeited and lapsed      (674,045)  11.00   
Outstanding at the end of the year         674,045  11.00
Exercisable at the end of the year          449,363 $11.00
                  
Outstanding at the beginning of the year 2014 Share Plan 399,999 $17.79 399,999 $17.79 723,749  $18.06
Granted           
Exercised           
Forfeited and lapsed         (323,750)  18.39
Outstanding at the end of the year   399,999  17.79 399,999  17.79 399,999  17.79
Exercisable at the end of the year   399,999 $17.79 399,999 $17.79 289,583 $17.67
                  
Outstanding at the beginning of the year 2015 Share Plan 1,290,399 $14.68 211,250 $16.21 233,750 $16.23
Granted (i)   674,045  0.38 1,305,399  14.86   
Exercised (ii)   (132,013)  2.00 (10,416)  7.92 (10,208 8.71
Forfeited and lapsed   (233,333)  16.18 (215,834)  18.23 (12,292 14.64
Outstanding at the end of the year   1,599,098  2.69 1,290,399  14.68 211,250  16.21
Exercisable at the end of the year   1,549,098 $2.72 981,545 $14.66 181,354 $17.36
                  
Outstanding at the beginning of the year Other share option plans 500,000 $16.00 500,000 $18.88 500,000  18.88
Granted             
Exercised             
Forfeited and lapsed   (500,000)   16.00       
Outstanding at the end of the year      500,000  16.00 500,000  18.88
Exercisable at the end of the year    $ 400,000 $16.00 300,000 $18.88
                  
Outstanding at the beginning of the year RSU 505,945   837,590   182,725  
Granted (iii) (iv)   4,899,280  0.06 211,567   1,044,290  
Exercised   (2,088,181)   (450,541)   (366,491)  
Forfeited and lapsed   (37,447)   (92,672)   (22,934)  
Outstanding at the end of the year   3,279,597  0.1 505,944   837,590  
Exercisable at the end of the year   311,740   34,416   119,150  
                  
Outstanding at the beginning of the year Management Scheme 2,593,333   1,513,333   1,130,000  
Granted (v)  ��10,230,320   1,400,000   700,000  
Exercised (vi)   (7,448,320)   (320,000)   (316,667  
Forfeited and lapsed   (320,000)        
Outstanding at the end of the year   5,055,333  0.01 2,593,333   1,513,333  
Exercisable at the end of the year   890,000  0.03 516,667   173,333  

    Year ended March 31
    2018 2017 2016
  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 2,108,063 INR34.96 2,196,215 INR35.17 1,437,400 INR52
Granted   863,320  10 269,381  10 966,009  10
Exercised   (1,113,160)  32.19 (269,553)  10 (180,920)  39
Forfeited and lapsed   (234,188)  10 (87,980)  10 (26,274)  10
Outstanding at the end of the year   1,624,035  28.85 2,108,063  34.96 2,196,215  35.17
Exercisable at the end of the year   501,122 INR65.14 911,854 INR63.75 632,566 INR78.00
                  
Outstanding at the beginning of the year IPO Plan June 2006    62,438 GBP5.28 62,438 GBP5.28
Granted           
Exercised      (62,438)  5.28 —-  
Forfeited and lapsed      —-    —-  
Outstanding at the end of the year         62,438  5.28
Exercisable at the end of the year       GBP 62,438 GBP5.28
                  
Outstanding at the beginning of the year JSOP Plan 1,146,965 $14.98 1,239,495 $14.98 1,723,657 $11.60
Granted         380,000  24.00
Exercised     11 (92,530)  11 (573,262)  11.00
Forfeited and lapsed         (290,900)  11.00
Outstanding at the end of the year   1,146,965 $14.98 1,146,965 $14.98 1,239,495 $14.98
Exercisable at the end of the year   728,736 $11 728,736 $11 617,450 $11.00
                  
Outstanding at the beginning of the year Option award scheme 2012 674,045 $11 674,045 $11 674,045 $11.00
Granted           
Exercised           
Forfeited and lapsed           
Outstanding at the end of the year   674,045  11 674,045  11 674,045  11.00
Exercisable at the end of the year   674,045 $11 449,363 $11 224,682 $11.00
                  
Outstanding at the beginning of the year 2014 Share Plan 723,749 $18.06 773,749  $17.86 230,000  $16.27
Granted         600,000  18.40
Exercised           
Forfeited and lapsed   (323,750)  18.39 (50,000)  14.97 (56,251)  17.13
Outstanding at the end of the year   399,999  17.79 723,749  18.06 773,749  17.86
Exercisable at the end of the year   289,583 $17.67 288,333 $17.80 96,664 $15.99
                  
Outstanding at the beginning of the year 2015 Share Plan 233,750 $16.23 282,500 $16.68 200,000  17.46
Granted         105,000 $15.35
Exercised   (10,208) 8.71 (8,750)  8.84   
Forfeited and lapsed   (12,292) 14.64 (40,000)  18.68 (22,500)  19.17
Outstanding at the end of the year   211,250  16.21 233,750  16.23 282,500  16.68
Exercisable at the end of the year   181,354 $17.36 127,604 $17.46 72,708 $16.90
                  
Outstanding at the beginning of the year Other share option plans 500,000 $18.88 1,000,000  18.44 500,000  18.88
Granted          500,000  18.00
Exercised            
Forfeited and lapsed       (500,000)  18   
Outstanding at the end of the year   500,000  18.88 500,000  18.88 1,000,000  18.44
Exercisable at the end of the year   300,000 $18.88 200,000 $18.88 100,000 $18.88
                  
Outstanding at the beginning of the year RSU 182,725   72,480   116,730  
Granted   1,044,290   216,735     
Exercised   (366,491)  (95,990)  (36,950) 
Forfeited and lapsed   (22,934)  (10,500)  (7,300) 
Outstanding at the end of the year   837,590   182,725   72,480  
Exercisable at the end of the year   119,150   12,445   1,960  
                  
Outstanding at the beginning of the year Management Scheme 1,130,000   910,000   525,000  
Granted   700,000   670,000   910,000  
Exercised   (316,667)  (450,000)  (525,000) 
Forfeited and lapsed           
Outstanding at the end of the year   1,513,333   1,130,000   910,000  
Exercisable at the end of the year   173,333   180,000   175,000  

(i) includes 233,364 and 622,035 options granted in prior year/s and wherein the exercise price was modified to $ 2 per share and GBP 0.3 per share, respectively

(ii) the exercise price of said options were modified to GBP 0.3, resulting in incremental fair value of $ 0.55 per share


106 

 

(iii) Out of the options granted, 619,000 RSU were converted from A ordinary shares to B ordinary shares on October 7, 2019

(iv) Out of above, 873,000 RSU were accelerated for immediate vesting as against original vesting period of 3 years.

 (v) Includes 6,808,320 B Ordinary shares granted on July 12, 2019 and February 28, 2020, respectively and 1,238,000 shares converted from A Ordinary shares to B Ordinary share on October 7, 2019.

(vi) Includes treasury shares of 6,808,320 B Ordinary shares exercised during the year, wherein vesting schedule is in equal instalments over three years from date of grant. The following table summarizes information about outstanding stock options:

 

 Year ended March 31 Year ended March 31
 2018 2017 2016 2020 2019 2018
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
 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 3.08  INR*35.0 4.10  INR*35.0 4.10 INR*35.0 6.30  INR* 45.03 7.70  INR* 32.17 8.11 INR* 35.0
IPO Plan June 2006  GBP**  GBP** 0.25 GBP**5.28
JSOP Plan 3.93 $16.19 4.93 $16.19 5.93 $14.98    $ 3.05   $11.00 3.93   $16.19
Option award scheme 2012 3.75 $11.00 4.83 $11.00 5.83 $11.00    $    $ 3.75   $11.00
2014 Share Plan 5.96 $17.79 7.11 $18.06 6.88 $17.86 1.25   $17.79 2.25   $17.79 5.96   $17.79
2015 Share Plan 6.06 $16.21 6.08 $16.23 5.91 $16.68 5.00   $2.69 6.01   $14.68 6.06   $16.21
Other share option plans 3.75 $18.88 4.75 $18.88 5.75 $18.44    $ 1.87   $16.00 2.87   $18.88
RSU 9.36   $ 6.00   $ 5.60   $
Management Scheme 5.56 $ 5.59 $ 6.00 $ 8.94   $0.1 6.00   $ 5.56   $
Restricted Stock Unit 5.60 $ 5.63 $ 6.00 $

 

(*) INR *INR – Indian Rupees

(**) GBP – Great Britain Pound

2015 Share Plan

 

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

 

IPO
India Plan
Expected volatility(1)(2)35% - 75%
Option life (Years)1.91 - 7.00
Dividend yield0%
Risk free rate6.51% - 8.50%
Range of fair value of the granted options at the grant date(3)INR 179 – 380
  Inputs 
Expected volatility(1)  108.2% 
Option life (Years)  2.6 
Dividend yield  0% 
Risk free rate  0.3 
Range of exercise price of the granted options at the grant date(2) $0.38 

 

(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)(2)

Fair value of options granted under all other schemes is measured using a Black Scholes model.

 

RestrictedJoint Stock Unit (RSU) and Management Scheme plan

In respect of units/options granted towards RSU and Management Scheme, grant date fair value approximates intrinsic value.

JOINT STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN RESERVEOwnership Plan Reserve (JSOP Reserve)

 

(in thousands)
Balance at April 1, 2016$(17,167)
Issue out of treasury shares1,182
Balance at April 1, 2017$(15,985)
Issue out of treasury shares
Balance at March 31, 2018$(15,985)
  (in thousands) 
Balance at April 1, 2018 $(15,985)
Issue out of treasury shares   
Balance at April 1, 2019 $(15,985)
Issue out of treasury shares  15,985 
Balance at March 31, 2020 $ 

 

The JSOP Reserve represents the cost of shares issued by Eros International Plc and held by the JSOP Trust to satisfy the requirements of the JSOP Plan (Refer Note 28)27).  On June 5, 2014, the Board approved discretionary vesting of 20% of the applicable JSOP shares. In the current year 106,701 (2017: 106,701)Nil (2019: 868,794) ‘A’ ordinary shares held by the JSOP Trust were eligible to be issued to employees.

 

The number of shares held by the JSOP Trust at March 31, 20182020 was 1,253,668Nil ‘A’ Ordinary shares (2017: 1,253,668(2019: 1,253,656 ‘A’ Ordinary 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 A, whose term will expire at the annual general meeting to be held in fiscal year 2019;2021;
·Class B, whose term will expire at the annual general meeting to be held in fiscal year 2020;2022; and
·Class C, whose term will expire at the annual general meeting to be held in fiscal year 2021.2023.

 

Our directors for fiscal year 20192020 are classified as follows:

 

·Class I: Jyoti Deshpande and Vijay Ahuja;
·Class II: Sunil Lulla, Dilip Thakkar and Rishika Lulla Singh;;
·Class II: Kishore Lulla, Shailendra Swarup, Dhirendra Swarup and Prem Parameswaran; and
·Class III:  Kishore Lulla, Shailendra Swarup and David Maisel.Sunil Lulla.

As more fully described below in “Part I — Item 10. Additional Information — C. Material Contracts,” pursuant to the Merger Agreement entered into by the Company on April 17, 2020 and related agreements, upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby the board of directors will have nine directors, of whom four (the “Founders Group Directors”) will be selected by the Founders Group, four (the “STX Directors”) will be selected by STX Filmworks, Inc. (“STX”), and the remaining one director will be jointly selected by the Founders Group and STX (the “Jointly Selected Director”). The foregoing directors will be divided into three classes, each of which will serve for staggered three-year terms. One Founders Group Director, one STX Director and the Jointly Selected Director will be allocated to the class of directors initially holding office until the Company’s 2021 annual general meeting; one Founders Group Director and two STX Directors will be allocated to the class of directors initially holding office until the Company’s 2022 annual general meeting; and two Founders Group Directors and one STX Director will be allocated to the class of directors initially holding office until the Company’s 2023 annual general meeting.

 

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.

108 

On February 17, 2016,November 11, 2018, with effect from AprilNovember 1, 2016,2018, Kishore Lulla’s employment contract was transferred to Eros Digital FZ LLC at a gross annual salary of $1,133,000, which is rechargedamended and revised to group company and/or holding company, Eros and all other employments contracts were terminated.$1,359,600. All other conditions of the employment contracts remain the same. Kishore Lulla is also director on the board of Eros India and is entitled to a gross salary $197,821.India.

 

Sunil Lulla, our director, has entered into an employment agreement with Eros India pursuant to which he serves as Executive Vice Chairman and Managing Director 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 Sunil Lulla. The agreement contains a confidentiality provision that restricts Sunil 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.


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 Mr. Sunil Lulla is also entitled to receive a gross base annual salary private medical insuranceof GBP 60,000 (w.e.f April 2019) 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 181,8181,191,000 A ordinary shares as part of a contractual arrangement valued at $2.0 million based onawards in total, which will vest annually over the $11.00 initial public offering. The employment agreement is for an initial period ofnext 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 as on June 30, 2018 has options to purchase up to 211,160 shares of Eros India at $1.14 per share with a 3-year vesting period commencing from July 16, 2013.

Ms. Deshpande also owns 360,000 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 remained unchanged.

From April 1, 2018, Jyoti Deshpande has stepped down from the post of Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director and has been re-designated as Non-Executive Non-Independent Director on the Board of Eros International Plc and Eros India and all emoluments payable to her by Eros International Plc, Eros Digital FZ LLC and Eros India has been discontinued effective April 1, 2018 and all the service agreements have been discontinued except for shares award entitlement granted to her which shall vest according to the terms of the grant/options.

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.years.

 

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. 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, 2016November 11, 2018 with effect from AprilNovember 1, 2016, an amended and restated service agreement was executed with2018, Mrs. Rishika Lulla Singh by Eros Digital FZ LLC.Singh’s gross annual salary is amended and revised to $480,000. Mrs. Rishika Lulla Singh is also entitled to annual salary of $420,000 effective January 1, 2018.1,238,000 A ordinary shares awards in total, which will vest annually over the next three years.

 

Our non-executive Director, Mr. Dilip Thakkar, has entered into letter of appointment with us that provide him with annual fees of $95,000$76,112 per annum (as(equivalent to GBP 60,000, as per Board Meeting dated June 28, 2016). Mr. Shailendra Swarup has been appointed as non-executive Director with effect from July 25, 2017 and annual fees for his service has director for Eros International Plc is $53,000$50,741 (equivalent to GBP 40,000). Mr. Dhirendra Swarup has been appointed as non-executive Director with effect from July 31, 2019 and annual fees for his service as director for Eros International Plc is $34,626 (equivalent to GBP 26,667) The appointments are for an initial period of one year, and there after terminable by either the non- executivenon-executive director or by us with three months’ written notice, or by us immediately in the case of fraud.


 

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.$93,000. 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 $16 (modified from $18.88 to $16 as of September 18,2018) 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. David Maisel resigned on March 26, 2020.

 

Mr. Prem Parameswaran, our Group Chief Financial Officer and President North America, has entered into an amended employment agreement with us on May 26, 2015as of June 9, 2018, 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 300,0001,590,000 A ordinary shares at $0.45 per shareawards in total as part of his employment agreement, these shares are restricted, but will cease to be so inwhich have varying vesting periods over the next 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.years.

 

Mr. Mark Carbeck, our Chief Corporate and Strategy Officer and Mr. Pranab Kapadia, our President of Europe and Africa Operations, have bothhas entered into a service agreementsagreement with Eros International Limited to provide services to us and certain of our subsidiaries. The service agreements areagreement is terminable by either party with three months’ written notice. Eros International Ltd may terminate the agreement immediately in certain circumstances, including upon certain types of misconduct or upon paying the executive an amount equivalent to his basic salary for a three month period. Mr. Carbeck and Mr Kapadia receivereceives a basic gross annual salary and areis entitled to participate in any current bonus scheme applicable to their positions.his position. The agreement contains a confidentiality provision 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.

109 

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 on 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 Mr. Dilip Thakkar (Chair), Mr. Shailender Swarup and Mr.Mr Dhirendra Swarup. The Audit Committee met six times during fiscal year 2018. Our board of directors has determined that each of the members of our Audit Committee are independent. The Audit Committee met eight times during fiscal year 2020.

 

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 Mr. Shailendra Swarup (Chair) and Mr. Dilip Thakkar. The Remuneration Committee met fourfive times during fiscal year 2018.2020. 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 Mr. Shailendra Swarup (Chair) and Mr. Thakkar. The Nomination Committee is an ad hoc committee and met fourthree times during fiscal year 2018.2020. Our board of directors has determined that each of the members of our Nomination Committee is independent.

 

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

 

  Audit
Committee
 Remuneration
Committee
 Nomination
Committee
Shailendra Swarup Member Chairman Chairman
Dilip Thakkar Chairman Member Member
Dhirendra SwarupMember

As more fully described below in “Part I — Item 10. Additional Information — C. Material Contracts,” upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, it is expected that the Audit Committee will consist of four members, two of whom will be Founders Group Directors and two of whom will be STX Directors; the Remuneration Committee will consist of three members, one of whom will be a Founders Group Director, one of whom will be an STX Director and one of whom will be the Jointly Selected Director; and the Nomination Committee will consist of four members, two of whom will be Founders Group Directors and two of whom will be STX Directors.

 

D. Employees

 

As of March 31, 2018,2020, we had 423340 employees, with 386316 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 July 30, 2018 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 July 30, 2018 are based on an aggregate of 68,824,171 ordinary shares outstanding as at that date.


  Number of A Ordinary Shares
Beneficially Owned
 Number of B Ordinary Shares
Beneficially Owned
  Number of
Shares of A
 Percent of
Class
 Number of
Shares of B
 Percent of
Class
Directors        
Kishore Lulla(1) 11,567,399 19.6% 9,712,715 100.0%
Jyoti Deshpande(2) 2,112,333 3.6%  
Vijay Ahuja 5,266,667 8.9%  
Sunil Lulla * *  
Dilip Thakkar * *  
David Maisel * *  
Rishika Lulla Singh * *  
         
Senior Management        
Prem Paramsewaran * *  
Mark Carbeck    
Pranab Kapadia    
Surender Sadhwani * *  
All directors and senior management as a group 20,279,706 34.3% 9,712,715 100.0%

*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 Lulla 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 ordinary shares totalling to 90,000 in 2014 and 160,000 annually in 2015, 2016, and 2017 as part of executive director share awards.

Kishore Lulla, 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
Surender Sadhwani 674,045 September 2014 $11.00  June 2017
David Maisel 500,000 February 2015 $18.88  February 2020
Mark Carbeck 70,000 February 2015 $14.97  March 2025

(1)In addition Jyoti Deshpande also has 211,160 share options in Eros International Media Limited by virtue of the IPO India Plan. The options had a three year vesting period commencing July 16, 2013, with an exercise price of $1.14.

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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 July 30, 2018 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 July 30, 2018.

The number of shares and percentage beneficial ownership of ordinary shares below is based on 59,111,456 issued A ordinary shares and 9,712,715 issued B ordinary shares as of July 30, 2018.

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
  Number of
Shares of A
 Percent of
Class
 Number of
Shares of B
 Percent of
Class
Kishore Lulla(1) 11,567,399 19.6% 9,712,715 100.0%
Beech Investments(2) 1,756,660 3.0% 9,546,048 98.3%
Eros Ventures Limited(3) 8,625,323 14.6%  
Capital Research Global Investors 6,846,094 11.6%  
Vijay Ahuja 5,266,667 8.9%  
Paradice Investment Management LLC 5,130,552 8.7%  
Gilder Gagnon Howe & Co LLC 3,615,139 6.1%  

(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 Lulla Foundation, a U.K. registered charity that holds our shares.
(2)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 director Kishore Lulla as a beneficiary. 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).
(3)Eros Ventures Limited, c/o SG Kleinwort Hambros Trust Company Limited, Hambro House, St. Julians Avenue, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 3ED. Eros Ventures Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, is owned by discretionary trusts that include Mr. Kishore Lulla as beneficiary.

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.

·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 Lulla Foundation, a U.K. registered charity that holds our shares. Since June 30, 2017, Mr. Lulla’s aggregate ownership of our A ordinary shares, through both direct and indirect ownership, has increased by 1,883,945 shares. The increase in Mr. Lulla’s ownership was driven by a combination of shares received through executive compensation schemes, increase in holdings of Beech Investments and Eros Ventures limited, and conversion of certain amounts of B ordinary shares into A ordinary shares.

·Capital Research Global Investors reported its percentage ownership of our ordinary shares to be 11.6% (based on the current number of our ordinary shares reported as of this filing) in a Schedule 13F filed with the Commission as of March 31, 2018.

·Paradice Investment Management LLC reported its percentage ownership of our ordinary shares to be 8.7% (based on the current number of our ordinary shares reported as of this filing) in a Schedule 13F filed with the Commission as of March 31, 2018.

·Gilder Gagnon Howe & Co LLC reported its percentage ownership of our ordinary shares to be 6.1% (based on the current number of our ordinary shares reported as outstanding as of this filing) in a Schedule 13F filed with the Commission as of March 31, 2018.

Kishore Lulla 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.

As of March 31, 2018, approximately 52,887,388 of our A ordinary shares, representing 94.9% of our outstanding A ordinary shares as of March 31, 2018, were held by a total of 3 record holders with addresses in the United States. Computershare, N.A., the depositary, has advised us that, as of March 31, 2018, approximately 94.2% of our total outstanding ordinary shares in the form of 52,482,888 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, 20142015 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 former director and Vice Chairman (upto December 20th,2018)and of Mr. Surender Sadhwani, our President of Middle East Operations. Mr. Sunil Lulla is the brother of Mr. Kishore Lulla, uncle to Mrs. Rishika Lulla Singh, and a cousin of Mr. Vijay Ahuja and Mr. Surender Sadhwani. Mr. Vijay Ahuja is a cousin of Mr. Kishore Lulla and Mr. Sunil Lulla.Lulla Mrs. Rishika Lulla Singh is the daughter of Mr. Kishore Lulla and niece of Mr. Sunil Lulla. Mr. Surender Sadhwani is a cousin of Mr. Kishore Lulla and Mr. Sunil Lulla. Mr. Arjan Lulla, our founder, iswas the father of Mr. Kishore Lulla and Mr. Sunil Lulla, grandfather of Mrs. Rishika Lulla Singh, uncle of Mr. Vijay Ahuja and Mr. Surender Sadhwani and an employee of Redbridge Group Ltd., ishe was the Honorary President of Eros and a director of our subsidiary Eros Worldwide. Mrs.WorldwideMrs. Manjula Lulla, the wife of Mr. Kishore Lulla, 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 MrMr. Sunil Lulla and an employee of Eros India. Mr. Swaneet Singh is the husband of Mrs. Rishika Lulla Singh and son in law of Mr. Kishore Lulla.


Leases

 

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expired on March 31, 2018,2020, the lease requires Eros International Media Limited to pay $5,000$4,000 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, 20182020 for a further period of one year on the same terms.

 

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expiredexpires on September 30, 2015,2021, the lease requires Eros International Media Limited to pay $5,000$4,000 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 expiresexpired 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 $61,000$82,000 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. The lease commenced on April 1,2015, and required the Group to pay $11,000 each month. The lease was renewed on April 1, 2015with effect from January 5, 2020 for a further period of five years on the same terms. This is a non-cancellable lease

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expired 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 lease commenced on November 19, 2009 and requires the Group to pay $109,000 each quarter. The lease was not renewed after it expired in March 2018.

 

Honorary Appointment of Mr. Arjan Lulla

 

Pursuant to an agreement the Group entered into with Red Bridge Group Limited on June 27, 2006, the Group agreed to pay an annual fee set each year of $270,000, $260,000 and $300,000 in the respective years ended March 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, for the services of late Arjan Lulla, the father of Kishore Lulla and Sunil Lulla, grandfather of Mrs. Rishika Lulla Singh, uncle of Vijay Ahuja and Surender Sadhwani and an employee of Redbridge Group Limited. In the fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Group paid Arjan Lulla $ Nil, $186,000 and $270,000, respectively. The agreement makesmade Arjan Lulla honorary life president and providesprovided for services including attendance at Board meetings, entrepreneurial leadership and assistance in setting the Group’s strategy. Arjan Lulla passed away in December 2018. Red Bridge Group Limited.Limited is an entity owned indirectly by a discretionary trust of which Kishore Lulla is a potential beneficiary.

 

Lulla Family Transactions

 

The Lulla family refers to Mr. Arjan Lulla, Mr. Kishore Lulla, Mr. Sunil Lulla, Mrs. Manjula Lulla, Mrs. Krishika Lulla, Mrs. Rishika Lulla Singh, and Ms. Riddhima Lulla.Lulla and Mr. Swaneet Singh.

111 

The Group has engaged in transactions with NextGen Films Private Limited(*), an entity owned by the husband of Puja Rajani, sister of Kishore Lulla and Sunil Lulla, which with effect from September 19, 2019 ceased to be a related party, each of which involved the purchase and sale of film rights. In the yearperiod ended March 31, 2018,September 19, 2019, NextGen Films Private Limited sold film rights $7,760,000 (2017: $616,000, 2016: $2,728,000)$ 393,000 (2019: $1,109,000 2018: $7,760,000) to the Group, and purchased film rights, including production services, of Nil (2017:(2019: Nil and 2016:2018: $Nil).The. The Group the period ended September 19, 2019 advanced $19,025,000 (2017: $22,881,000, 2016: $5,400,000)$2,113,000 (2019: $6,192,000 2018: $19,025,000) to NextGen Films Private Limited for film co-production and received refund of $6,114,000 (2017: $5,075,000, 2016: $6,945,000)$Nil (2019: $Nil, 2018: $6,114,000) on abandonment of certain film projects.

 

The Group also engaged in transactions with Everest Entertainment LLP 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 the year ended March 31, 2018,2020, Everest Entertainment LLP sold film rights of 166,000 (2017: Nil, 2016: Nil)$18,000 (2019: 1,260,000, 2018: 166,000) to the Group.Group and purchased film rights of $ Nil (2019: $ 314,000).

 

Mrs. Manjula Lulla, the wife of Kishore Lulla, is an employee of Eros International Plc. and is entitled to a salary of $139,000$147,000 per annum (2017: $130,000(2019: $144,000 and 2016: $154,000)2018: $139,000). Mrs. Krishika Lulla, the wife of Sunil Lulla, is an employee of Eros International Media Limited (EIML)EIML and is entitled to a salary of $133,000$121,000 per annum (2017: $133,000, 2016: $138,000)(2019: $123,000 2018: $133,000). Ms. Riddhima Lulla, the daughter of Kishore Lulla, wasis an employee of Eros Digital FZ LLC and is entitled to a salary of Nil$300,000 per annum (2017: $51,000, 2016: $38,000 and(2019: $213,000 2018: $90,000) which is an employee ofborne by Eros World Wide FZ LLC is entitled to a salary of $90,000 per annum.Worldwide LLC.

 


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

 

As at March 31, 2018,2020, the Group has provided performance guarantee to a bank amounting to $Nil (2019: $8,000,000 (2017: $19,500,000)2018: $8,000,000) in connection with funding commitments. under film co-production agreements with NextGen Films Private Limited 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

The Group has engaged in transactions with Xfinite Global Plc, a subsidiary of Eros Investment Limited on these guaranteeswhich it has significant influence. The Group has accounted $12,776 (2019: $1,413, 2018: $ Nil) as it expects that most of these will expire unused.revenue during the year ended March 31, 2020.

In fiscal year 2017, the Group obtained unsecured short-term borrowings of $6,417,000(*) With effect from Eros Television IndiaSeptember 19, 2019, NextGen Films Private Limited at 12% per anum.ceased to be a related party.

 

Relationship Agreement

 

Both we and our subsidiaries, including Eros India, acquire rights in movies. The 2009 Relationship Agreement was renewed with the execution of the 2016 Relationship Agreement between Eros India, Eros Worldwide and us (“Relationship Agreement”). The Relationship Agreement, exclusively assigns to Eros Worldwide, certain intellectual property rights and all distribution rights (including global digital distribution rights) for films (other than Tamil films), held by Eros India or any of its subsidiary or the “Eros India” group, in all territories other than India, Nepal, and Bhutan. In return, Eros Worldwide provides a lump sum minimum guaranteed fee to the Eros India Group in a fixed payment equal to 40% 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 20% thereon as markup. We refer to these payments collectively as the Minimum Guaranteed Fee. Eros Worldwide is also required to reimburse the Eros India Group pre-approved distribution expenses in connection with such film, plus an amount equal to 20% thereon as markup (“distribution expenses”). In addition, 15% of the gross proceeds received by the Eros International Group from monetization 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 a 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 and 100% of the distribution expenses incurred by the Eros International Group and the distribution expenses for which Eros Worldwide has provided reimbursement to the Eros India Group.

 

The initial term of the 2016 Relationship Agreement expires in April 2021. Upon expiration, the agreement provides that it will be automatically renewed for successive two year terms unless terminated by any party by 180 days written notice on or before commencement of any renewal term.


Lulla Foundation

 

Prior to our listing on the NYSE in November 2013, we issued the equivalent of 282,949 A ordinary shares to the Lulla Foundation (formerly 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 Lulla Foundation. Mr. Kishore Lulla and his wife, Mrs. Manjula K. Lulla, are trustees, but not beneficiaries, of the foundation. The Lulla Foundation sold 76,000 A ordinary shares between May 20, 2014 and June 8, 2018 and now currently has 221,949 A ordinary shares as of June 30, 2018.2020.

 

C. Interests of Experts and Counsel

 

Not applicable.

 

E. Share Ownership

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as at July 27, 2020 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 July 27, 2020 are based on an aggregate of 177,277,956 ordinary shares issued and outstanding as at that date.

  Number of A Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned
  Number of B Ordinary Shares
Beneficially Owned
 
             
Directors Number of  Percent  Number of  Percent 
  A Shares  of Class  B Shares  of Class 
             
Kishore Lulla (1)  *   *   17,723,085   81.7% 
Rishika Lulla Singh  *   *   2,662,666   12.2% 
Sunil Lulla  *   *   *   * 
Prem Parameswaran  *   *   *   * 
Shailendra Swarup  *   *   *   * 
Dhirendra Swarup  *   *   *   * 
Dilip Thakkar  *   *   *   * 
                 
Senior Management                
Kumar Ahuja  *   *   *   * 
Mark Carbeck  *   *   *   * 
Pradeep Dwivedi  *   *   *   * 
Ali Hussein  *   *   *   * 
Ridhima Lulla  *   *   1,314,667   6.1% 
                 
All Directors and Senior Management  5,542,655   3.56%   21,700,418   100.0% 

*Represents less than 1%.
(1)Kishore Lulla's interest in certain of his shares is by virtue of (i) his holding ownership interests in, and being a potential beneficiary of, discretionary trusts that hold our shares and (ii) serving as trustee of the Lulla Foundation, a U.K. registered charity that holds our shares.

The Founder Group, including Kishore Lulla and his direct descendants, by virtue of the B ordinary shares they own, have different voting rights from holders of A ordinary shares. 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 of association. Following the adoption of the new Amended Articles of Association, Mr. Sunil Lulla, the brother of Kishore Lulla and the current Chairman and Managing Director of Eros International Media Limited and a member of the board of directors of Eros, and his descendants, will be within the scope of permitted holders.

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 option details with respect to the directors and officers as at June 30, 2020.

Name Number of
‘A’ ordinary
Shares
Options
  Date of
Grant
  Exercise
Price
  Expiration
Date
Prem Parameswaran  300,000   Sep-15      $18.30  Jun-21
Mark Carbeck  70,000   Feb-15      $14.97  Mar-25
Ridhima Lulla  250,000   Sep-18   GBP   0.30  Mar-25
Rishika Lulla  242,035   Sep-18   GBP   0.30  Mar-25

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 July 27, 2020 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 July 27, 2020.

The number of shares and percentage beneficial ownership of ordinary shares below is based on 155,577,538 issued A ordinary shares and 21,700,418 issued B ordinary shares as of July 27, 2020.

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   Percent   Number of   Percent 
   A Shares   of Class   B Shares   of Class 
                 
Kishore Lulla  1,041,404   0.7%   17,723,085   81.7% 
Beech Investments Limited  318,818   0.2%   8,046,048   37.1% 

(1)Kishore Lulla’s interest in certain of his shares is by virtue of (i) his holding ownership interests in, and being a potential beneficiary of, discretionary trusts that hold our shares and (ii) serving as trustee of the Lulla Foundation, a U.K. registered charity that holds our shares.
(2)Beech Investments Limited, c/o SG Kleinwort Hambros Trust Company (Channel Islands) Limited, PO Box 197, SG Hambros House, 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 director Kishore Lulla as a beneficiary. The shares currently held by Beech Investments Limited are being held as both A ordinary and B ordinary shares. The B ordinary shares would 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).

114 

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

·Kishore Lulla’s interest in certain of his shares is by virtue of (i) his holding ownership interests in, and being a potential beneficiary of, discretionary trusts that hold our shares and (ii) serving as trustee of the Lulla Foundation, a U.K. registered charity that holds our shares. Since July 30, 2019, Mr. Lulla’s aggregate ownership of our A and B ordinary shares, through both direct and indirect ownership, has increased by 1,149,493 shares. The change in Mr. Lulla’s ownership was driven by several factors including, but not limited to: share grants received through executive compensation schemes, a decrease in holdings of Eros Ventures limited and the conversion of certain amounts of B ordinary shares into A ordinary shares.

The Founder Group, including Kishore Lulla and his direct descendants, by virtue of the B ordinary shares they own, have different voting rights from holders of A ordinary shares. 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 of association. Following the adoption of the new Amended Articles of Association, Mr. Sunil Lulla, the brother of Kishore Lulla and the current Chairman and Managing Director of Eros International Media Limited and a member of the board of directors of Eros, and his descendants, will be within the scope of permitted holders.

As of June 30, 2020, approximately 140,631,271 of our A ordinary shares, representing 95.0% of our outstanding A ordinary shares as of June 30, 2020, were held by a total of 2 record holders with addresses in the United States. 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. No B ordinary shares are held by individuals with addresses in the United States.

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.


 

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, 2018;June 30, 2020; and on the AIM share price table, for the period April 1, April 2010 to November 18, 2013, only.

115 

  Price per share on NYSE 
  High  Low 
Fiscal year:        
2014 $16.07  $8.94 
2015 $22.44  $13.65 
2016 $37.60  $6.81 
2017 $19.23  $9.65 
2018 $16.10  $6.85 
2019 $14.50  $7.04 
2020 $8.97  $1.24 
         
Fiscal Quarter:        
         
First quarter 2020 $8.97  $1.35 
Second quarter 2020 $4.44  $  
Third quarter 2020 $3.39  $1.30 
Fourth quarter 2020 $4.44  $1.37 
Month:        
April 2019 $8.97  $8.00 
May 2019 $8.59  $7.44 
June 2019 $7.66  $1.35 
July 2019 $1.82  $1.48 
August 2019 $1.69  $1.24 
September 2019 $3.51  $1.72 
October 2019 $2.32  $1.30 
November 2019 $2.67  $1.91 
December 2019 $3.39  $2.45 
January 2020 $4.44  $2.41 
February 2020 $3.14  $2.29 
March 2020 $2.52  $1.37 
April 2020 $3.05  $1.43 
May 2020 $3.32  $2.45 
June 2020 $3.84  $2.90 

 

  Price per share on NYSE 
  High  Low 
Fiscal year:        
2014 $16.07  $8.94 
2015 $22.44  $13.65 
2016 $37.60  $6.81 
2017 $19.23  $9.65 
2018 $16.10  $6.85 
Fiscal Quarter:        
First quarter 2018 $11.85  $8.80 
Second quarter 2018 $16.10  $6.85 
Third quarter 2018 $15.25  $9.20 
Fourth quarter 2018 $13.45  $9.60 
Month:        
April 2017 $10.15  $8.90 
May 2017 $11.85  $9.55 
June 2017 $11.70  $8.80 
July 2017 $13.90  $10.00 
August 2017 $10.10  $6.85 
September 2017 $16.10  $11.45 
October 2017 $15.25  $11.55 
November 2017 $13.45  $12.25 
December 2017 $12.75  $9.20 
January 2018 $11.40  $9.60 
February 2018 $13.45  $11.15 
March 2018 $13.40  $10.90 
April 2018 $11.95  $10.00 
May 2018 $13.50  $10.95 

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

 

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


 

B. Plan of Distribution

 

Not applicable.

 

C. Markets

 

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

116 

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 First Names House, Victoria Road Douglas, Isle of Man IM2 4DF, British Isles; our principal executive office in the U.S. is at 550 County Avenue, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094.

 

At March 31, 2018,2020, Eros International plc has authorized share capital of 90,287,285180,100,915 A ordinary shares at a par value of GBP 0.30 per share, of which 55,718,423127,116,702 is issued share capital, and authorized share capital of 9,712,715 B19,899,085B ordinary shares at a par value of GBP 0.30 per share, of which 9,712,715 is19,899,085is 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.December 20, 2018. 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 First Names House, Victoria Road Douglas, Isle of Man IM2 4DF, British Isles , that our registered agent is Cains FiduciariesIQ EQ (Isle of Man) 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.

 

On 29 June 2020, at an extraordinary general meeting, a resolution of our shareholders was passed that, conditional upon the completion of the Merger described in the accompanying Circular, the Articles of Association be amended as set out in the marked-up version of the Articles of Association provided to shareholders as part of the proxy materials for that meeting. As at the date hereof, completion of the Merger has not taken place and the amendments are not yet effective.

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.


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 is divided into three staggered classes of directors of the same or nearly the same number. At each annual general meeting, a class of directors is 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 recognizedrecognised under the 2006 Act, and resolutions passed at a meeting of shareholders only require the approval of shareholders present in person or by proxy, holding in excess of 50% of the voting rights exercised in relation thereto. However, as permitted under the 2006 Act, our articles of association incorporate the concept of a “special resolution” (requiring the approval of shareholders holding 75% or more of the voting rights exercised in relation thereto) in relation to certain matters, such as directing the management of our business (subject to the provisions of the 2006 Act and our articles), sanctioning a transfer or sale of the whole or part of our business or property to another company (pursuant to the relevant section of the 1931 Act) and allocating any shares or other consideration among the shareholders in the event of a winding up.


Rights to Share in Dividends

 

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


Limitations on Right to Hold Shares

 

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

 

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

 

Untraceable Shareholders

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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.


 

C. Material Contracts

 

Agreement and Plan of Merger

On April 17, 2020, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with STX Filmworks Inc., a Delaware corporation (“STX”), England Holdings 2 Inc., a Delaware corporation and indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“England Holdings 2”), and England Merger 1 Corp. (f/k/a England Merger Corp.), a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of England Holdings 2 (“Merger Sub”), which provides for, among other things, the merger of Merger Sub with and into STX (the “Merger”), with STX surviving as the surviving corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of England Holdings 2. Eros, as the combined company following the Merger, is referred to hereafter as the “combined company.”

On the terms and subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement, each share of STX preferred stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”) will be converted into the right to receive a number of contractual contingent value rights (“CVRs”), without interest, based on the liquidation value and, if applicable, the exit payment, of the respective share of STX preferred stock (the “Merger Consideration”), and such CVRs will in turn entitle the holder thereof to receive, on the settlement date of the CVRs, a number of A ordinary shares to be calculated in accordance with certain agreements governing the CVRs (the “CVR Agreements”). Each share of STX common stock and each STX stock option and restricted stock unit award issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time will be cancelled at the Effective Time without consideration. The aggregate number of A ordinary shares to be issued to the former STX stockholders upon settlement of the CVRs (the “Aggregate Merger Consideration CVR Shares”) will be equal to, and will in no event exceed, the total number of ordinary shares of the Company outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time on a fully diluted basis. The calculation of the fully diluted number of outstanding ordinary shares for this purpose will include (1) the aggregate number of ordinary shares subject to issuance pursuant to then outstanding in-the-money (based on the volume weighted average trading price of A ordinary shares for the 20 days prior to the Effective Time) Company stock options and (2) the aggregate number of ordinary shares subject to issuance pursuant to then outstanding Company restricted stock unit awards.

Pursuant to the CVR Agreements, the applicable CVRs issued as Merger Consideration shall be settled in A ordinary shares on the date (the “Settlement Date”) that is the earlier to occur of (1) the later to occur of (a) the first time that the A ordinary shares issuable pursuant to the CVRs have been registered for resale pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and (b) the 75th day after the Effective Time and (2) the date that is six months after the Effective Time. Each CVR will entitle the holder thereof to receive, on the Settlement Date, a number of A ordinary shares allocated from the Aggregate Merger Consideration CVR Shares based on the respective classes of STX preferred stock in respect of which the applicable CVRs were issued. However, the total number of A ordinary shares issuable pursuant to all CVRs will not exceed, in the aggregate, the Aggregate Merger Consideration CVR Shares.

Each holder of a CVR (other than any such holder that is also a purchaser under the PIPE Subscription Agreement (as defined below) and delivered a PIPE Lock-Up Agreement (as defined below) in connection with the PIPE Subscription Agreement) will, as a condition to receiving any A ordinary shares issuable in respect of such CVRs on the Settlement Date, be required to execute and deliver a lock-up agreement to the combined company (the “CVR Lock-Up Agreements”). Pursuant to the CVR Lock-Up Agreements, each holder of a CVR will agree not to, without the prior written consent of the combined company, directly or indirectly transfer the A ordinary shares issued to such holder on the Settlement Date for a period of 18 months from the Settlement Date.


The Merger Agreement, among other things, addresses certain post-closing governance matters, including, (1) that Kishore Lulla, currently the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, will be appointed as Executive Co-Chairman of the combined company; and (2) Robert B. Simonds, Jr., currently the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of STX, will be appointed as Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the combined company. In addition, effective as of the Effective Time, the board of directors of the combined company (the “Board”) will have nine directors, of whom four (the “Founders Group Directors”) will be selected by the Founders Group, four (the “STX Directors”) will be selected by STX, and the remaining one director will be jointly selected by the Founders Group and STX (the “Jointly Designated Director”). The foregoing directors will be divided into three classes, each of which will serve for staggered three-years term. One Founders Group Director, one STX Director and the Jointly Designated Directorwill be allocated to the class of directors initially holding office until the Company’s 2021 annual general meeting; one Founders Group Director and two STX Directors will be allocated to the class of directors initially holding office until the Company’s 2022 annual general meeting; and two Founders Group Directors and one STX Director will be allocated to the class of directors initially holding office until the Company’s 2023 annual general meeting. At least one Founders Group Director and at least one STX Director will each be required to satisfy the independence standards of the New York Stock Exchange with respect to the combined company as of the Effective Time.

Effective as of the Effective Time, the Audit Committee of the Board will consist of four members, two of whom will be Founders Group Directors and two of whom will be STX Directors; the Nomination and Governance Committee of the Board will consist of four members, two of whom will be Founders Group Directors and two of whom will be STX Directors; and the Remuneration Committee of the Board will consist of three members, one of whom will be a Founders Group Director, one of whom will be an STX Director and one of whom will be the Jointly Designated Director.

The requisite majority of STX stockholders have adopted the Merger Agreement and approved the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and related documents. Although not required under the Company’s organizational documents or Isle of Man law, a majority in voting power of the Company shareholders have approved the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, PIPE Subscription Agreement and related documents, including the issuance of A ordinary shares pursuant to the Merger Agreement and the Equity Financing (as defined below). Pursuant to a Voting and Support Agreement entered into concurrently with the Merger Agreement, the Founders Group further agreed, among other things, to vote their respective ordinary shares in favor of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Equity Financing, the adoption of the Amended Articles of Association (as defined below) and against any alternative proposals.

The completion of the Merger is subject to customary conditions, including: (1) the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period (or any extension thereof) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, which condition was fulfilled on May 11, 2020; (2) the receipt of any authorization or consent from a governmental authority required to be obtained with respect to the Merger under certain non-U.S. antitrust laws, which condition was fulfilled on July 8, 2020; (3) the absence of any order or law that has the effect of enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the Merger; (4) the substantially concurrent consummation of an aggregate of at least $110 million out of a total of $125 million of equity financing for the combined company (the “Equity Financing”), consisting of (a) the transactions contemplated by the PIPE Subscription Agreement, together with the related subscription for a new class of preferred stock of STX by the purchasers under the PIPE Subscription Agreement, and (b) the arrangement by the Company of at least $50 million of additional equity financing (the “Additional Equity Financing”) from new investors and/or through drawdowns pursuant to the 2020 Equity Offering (as defined below), of which Additional Equity Financing of at least $35 million of gross proceeds must be funded at or prior to the Effective Time (with at least $20 million of such $35 million of gross proceeds at closing required to be drawn pursuant to the 2020 Equity Offering), with any remaining balance of the Equity Financing required to be consummated within 90 days after the Effective Time; (5) the approval for listing on the New York Stock Exchange of the Aggregate Merger Consideration CVR Shares; (6) the continued effectiveness of certain consents and waivers by STX’s existing senior lenders under STX’s existing senior credit facilities and by STX’s existing mezzanine lenders under STX’s existing mezzanine credit facility with respect to the Merger and related transactions, which was delivered concurrently with the Merger Agreement; (7) the execution and delivery by the parties thereto of the CVR Agreements, the Investors’ Rights Agreement (as defined below) and the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined below); (8) subject to certain exceptions, the accuracy of the representations and warranties of Eros and STX, respectively; and (9) performance by the Company and STX in all material respects of their respective obligations under the Merger Agreement.


The Merger Agreement includes customary representations and warranties of the Company and STX and each party has agreed to customary covenants, including, among others, covenants relating to (1) the conduct of its business during the interim period between execution of the Merger Agreement and the Effective Time and (2) its non-solicitation obligations in connection with alternative acquisition proposals. In addition, the Company agreed to call and hold, as soon as practicable after the date of the Merger Agreement, an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders for the purpose of approving the Amended Articles of Association to reflect certain governance arrangements set forth in the Investors’ Rights Agreement and certain related matters. At such extraordinary general meeting, held on June 29, 2020, the Amended Articles of Association were duly approved by the requisite vote of the Company shareholders.

The Merger Agreement provides for certain customary termination rights for both the Company and STX, including in the event the conditions to their respective obligations have not been satisfied by August 17, 2020 (which would be automatically extended to November 13, 2020 if the only remaining unsatisfied conditions relate to obtaining antitrust approval).

PIPE Subscription Agreement

On April 17, 2020, concurrently and in connection with the Merger Agreement, the Company entered into a Subscription Agreement (the “PIPE Subscription Agreement”) with certain purchasers, pursuant to which such purchasers will purchase newly issued A ordinary shares from the Company for an aggregate purchase price of $75 million in a private placement transaction (the “PIPE Financing”). Each purchaser under the PIPE Subscription Agreement is an existing stockholder of STX.

The purchase price for each A ordinary share to be purchased under the PIPE Subscription Agreement is equal to the lowest of (1) $2.60 (the “Base Price”), (2) the weighted average of the purchase price of all purchases made by the purchasers pursuant to the 2020 Equity Offering prior to the Effective Time and (3) the volume weighted average trading price of Eros A Ordinary Shares for the 10 trading days immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “Pre-Closing VWAP”); provided, however, that if the Pre-Closing VWAP is greater than $3.25, then the purchase price per Eros A Ordinary Share under the PIPE Subscription Agreement will be equal to the average of the Base Price and the Pre-Closing VWAP.

The consummation of the PIPE Financing is subject, among other customary closing conditions, to (1) the substantially concurrent consummation of the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement (without any amendment, modification or supplementation of the terms of the Merger Agreement in a manner that would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the rights or economic benefits that the purchasers under the PIPE Subscription Agreement would reasonably expect to receive thereunder, without, in each case, the consent of each such purchaser), (2) the prior or substantially concurrent consummation of the Additional Equity Financing, with aggregate funded proceeds at or prior to the Effective Time of at least $35 million, and (3) the accuracy of the representations and warranties made by the Company to STX in the Merger Agreement to the same extent so required to be true and correct under the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement.

Concurrently with the execution of the PIPE Subscription Agreement, each purchaser thereunder executed a lock-up agreement (the “PIPE Lock-Up Agreements”) pursuant to which such purchaser agreed not to, without the prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly transfer the A ordinary shares issued to such purchaser in the PIPE Financing and the Merger for a period of 75 days from the Effective Time.

Form of Investors’ Rights Agreement

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time, the Company, certain former stockholders of STX who are purchasing A ordinary shares in the PIPE Financing and the Founders Group will enter into an Investors’ Rights Agreement (the “Investors’ Rights Agreement”), in substantially the form attached to the Merger Agreement.

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The Investors’ Rights Agreement provides that, until the third anniversary of the Effective Time, (1) the Hony Investor (as defined therein) will have the right, for so long as the Hony Investor beneficially owns at least 50% of the number of A ordinary shares beneficially owned by it as of the Effective Time (giving effect, prior to the Settlement Date, to the A ordinary shares underlying the CVRs issued to the Hony Investor pursuant to the Merger Agreement), to nominate for election or appointment to the Board each successor to or replacement for an STX Director, and (2) the Founders Group will have the right, for so long as the Founders Group continues to beneficially own at least 50% of the number of ordinary shares beneficially owned by the Founders Group as of the Effective Time (excluding for this purpose shares issued in respect of new equity awards granted at or immediately after the Effective Time), to nominate for election or appointment to the Board each successor to or replacement for a Founders Group Director. In addition, for so long as the Founders Group has the foregoing Board nomination right, with respect to all other directorships to be elected in an election of directors to the Board, the Founders Group shall vote its shares proportionately to the vote of all holders of shares who are not members of the Founders Group; provided that, for purposes of determining any such proportional vote prior to the settlement of the CVRs, CVRs shall be deemed to be outstanding A ordinary shares and to have been voted in such election.

In addition, for so long as the Hony Investor has the foregoing Board nomination right, the hiring or termination of the chief executive officer, chief financial officer or president (including any co-president) of the combined company will require the approval of a majority of the Board, including at least one director nominated by the Hony Investor.

In addition, until the earlier of the third anniversary of the Effective Time or the date that the Founders Group ceases to beneficially own at least 50% of the number of ordinary shares beneficially owned by the Founders Group as of the Effective Time (excluding for this purpose shares issued in respect of new equity awards granted at or immediately after the Effective Time), the following actions by the combined company or any of its subsidiaries will require the approval of a majority of the Board, including at least one Founders Group Director that is not an independent director (the “Founders Group Protections”): (1) entering into a change of control transaction; (2) initiating a voluntary liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding; (3) making a material change in the nature of the business conducted by the combined company and its subsidiaries; (4) hiring or terminating the chief executive officer, chief financial officer or president (including any co-president) of the combined company; or (5) adopting the annual business plan (including operating budget) of the combined company and its subsidiaries.

The Investors’ Rights Agreement also provides that, until the third anniversary of the Effective Time, the Founders Group will not, without the prior approval of an independent committee of the Board, acquire beneficial ownership of ordinary shares, or convert A ordinary shares owned by the Founders Group from time to time into B ordinary shares, to the extent doing so would result in the Founders Group beneficially owning more than 50% of the total voting power of the outstanding ordinary shares (the “Founders Group 50% Limit”). Following the third anniversary of the Effective Time, the Founders Group may acquire ordinary shares, and/or convert between A ordinary shares and B ordinary shares, without limitation.

The Investors’ Rights Agreement provides for the following minority protections (the “Minority Protections”):

·From the Effective Time until the third anniversary of the Effective Time, the prior approval of holders of a majority of the outstanding A ordinary shares will be required before the combined company or any of its subsidiaries takes (or agrees or commits to take) any of the following actions: (1) amending, supplementing or otherwise modifying the combined company’s Memorandum or Articles of Association in a manner that would affect the relative rights of the holders of B ordinary shares vis-à-vis the holders of A ordinary shares; (2) effecting any transaction or series of transactions providing for consideration to the holders of B ordinary shares that is in a different amount or form per share than the consideration provided to the holders of A ordinary shares in such transaction; (3) any action that would have the effect of increasing the relative voting power of the then outstanding B ordinary shares vis-à-vis the then outstanding A ordinary shares; (4) issuing additional B ordinary shares (other than upon conversion of A ordinary shares held by the Founders Group subject to the limitations in the immediately preceding paragraph); or (5) entering into non arms’ length related party transactions between the combined company and the Founders Group.

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·From the Effective Time until the third anniversary of the Effective Time, the prior approval of an independent committee of the Board will also be required before the combined company or any of its subsidiaries takes (or agrees or commits to take) any of the actions described in items (1), (2) and (5) of the immediately preceding bullet.

·From the Effective Time until the Settlement Date, all of the actions described in the preceding two bullets, as well as any election or removal of directors by the holders of ordinary shares or any other action generally requiring the approval of holders of ordinary shares, will in addition require the consent of the holders of CVRs corresponding to a number of shares that, together with outstanding shares actually voted with respect to the action in question and assuming the conversion of all CVRs into the respective number of A ordinary shares issuable thereunder as of such date, would be required to approve such action pursuant to the organizational documents or otherwise pursuant to the Minority Protections described in the two preceding bullets.

Except for certain fundamental reserved matters that will be subject to approval by a majority of the whole Board, all matters relating to the management of the combined company’s Indian subsidiary, Eros International Media Limited, will be delegated exclusively to a committee of the Board consisting only of Founders Group Directors.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement and the Investors’ Rights Agreement, the Company convened an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders on June 29, 2020 at which the requisite majority in voting power of Company shareholders duly approved an amendment and restatement of the Company’s Articles of Association in substantially the form attached to the Merger Agreement (the “Amended Articles of Association”), in order to reflect the Founders Group Protections, the Founders Group 50% Limit and the Minority Protections. In addition to the foregoing changes, the Amended Articles of Association also expand the definition of “Permitted Holders” therein to include any descendants of the late Mr. Arjan Lulla, who founded Eros and was the father of Kishore Lulla, the Company’s current Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Permitted Holders” defines the specific categories of shareholders who are permitted to hold B ordinary shares of the combined company, which will continue after the Effective Time to carry 10:1 voting rights as compared to the A ordinary shares of the combined company. The change to this definition will bring Mr. Sunil Lulla, the brother of Kishore Lulla and the current Chairman and Managing Director of Eros India and currently a member of the board of directors of the Company, and his descendants, within the scope of “Permitted Holders.” As provided in the resolution pursuant to which the Amended Articles of Association were approved, the Amended Articles of Association are conditioned, and will take effect only upon, the Effective Time.

Form of Registration Rights Agreement

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time, the Company, the former stockholders of STX who are entitled to receive CVRs in the Merger and/or who are purchasers in the PIPE Financing and the Founders Group will enter into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), in substantially the form attached to the Merger Agreement.

Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the combined company is required as soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, but in no event later than the 60th day following the Effective Time, to prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-1 or Form F-3 (the “Shelf Registration Statement”) providing for the resale from time to time of all A ordinary shares issued (1) at the Effective Time to the former STX stockholders who are purchasing A ordinary shares in the PIPE Financing and (2) on the Settlement Date upon settlement of the CVRs issued to the former STX stockholders pursuant to the Merger Agreement. The combined company must use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective until the earliest of the date as of which all A ordinary shares covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold, such shorter period as may be agreed by all of the former STX stockholders holding A ordinary shares then covered by the Shelf Registration Statement or the four-year anniversary of the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement.

The former STX stockholders will have the right, from time to time, to cause the combined company to undertake underwritten offerings or sales of A ordinary shares covered by the Shelf Registration Statement having an aggregate value of at least $20 million (each, a “Shelf Take-Down”), in each case at the expense of the combined company. The combined company will not be obligated in any calendar year to effect more than four block trade Shelf Take-Downs or one Shelf Take-Down that is not a block trade.

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In addition to the rights of the STX stockholders under the Registration Rights Agreement, the Founders Group will have the right, from time to time after the three-month anniversary of the Effective Time, to demand registration, at the combined company’s expense, of ordinary shares having an aggregate value of at least $20 million. The combined company will not be obligated to effect more than five such demand registrations, and such demand registrations are subject to customary “piggyback” registration rights in favor of the former STX stockholders.

Important Note Regarding the Merger Agreement and Related Agreements

The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Merger Agreement and other agreements and documents described above were made only for purposes of those agreements and documents and as of the specified dates set forth therein, were solely for the benefit of the parties to those agreements and documents, may be subject to limitations agreed upon by those parties, including being qualified by confidential disclosures made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between those parties instead of establishing particular matters as facts, and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the contracting parties that differ from those applicable to investors. Investors should not rely on these representations, warranties or covenants or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or conditions of the parties or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations, warranties and covenants may change after the date of the agreement containing them, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in the Company’s and the combined company’s public disclosures. Accordingly, the agreements described above are described in this filing only to provide investors with information regarding the terms of such agreements and not to provide investors with any other factual information regarding the parties or their respective businesses.

2017 Notes Offering

On December 6,06, 2017, the Company closed a registered direct offering (the “Offering”“2017 Offering”) of $122,500,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s Senior Convertible Notes (collectively, the “Notes”) and a Warrant (collectively, the “Warrants”) to purchase up to 2,000,000 of the Company’s A ordinary shares, for an aggregate purchase price of $100,000,000. The Notes and Warrants were issued and sold pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 4,04, 2017, by and among the Company and the buyers party thereto (the “Purchase Agreement”).Thethereto. The 2017 Offering was effected pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated December 1,01, 2017 under the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-3 (Registration No. 333-219708), as amended (the “Registration Statement”). The Registration Statement was declared effective on October 2,02, 2017.

The NotesWarrants expired on June 30, 2018 without being exercised.

 

In connection with the issuance of the Notes, the Company entered into an indenture, dated as of December 6,06, 2017, between the Company and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee (the “Base Indenture”), as supplemented by a first supplemental indenture thereto, dated as of December 6,06, 2017 (the “Supplemental Indenture” and, the Base Indenture as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”). The terms of the Notes includeincluded those provided in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

The Notes will maturewould have matured on December 6,06, 2020 unless earlier converted or redeemed, subject to the right of the holders to extend the date under certain circumstances. The Notes were issued with an original issue discount and willthe terms of the Notes provided that they would not bear interest except upon the occurrence of an event of default, in which case the Notes shallwould bear interest at a rate of 6.0% per annum. The Notes arewere senior obligations of the Company.

 

The Company will makemade monthly payments consisting of an amortizing portion of the principal of each Note equal to $3,500,000 and accrued and unpaid interest and late charges on the Note. Provided certainequity conditions have beenreferred to in the prospectus supplement were satisfied, the Company maywas permitted to make a monthly payment by converting such payment amount into A ordinary shares. Alternatively the Company may,was permitted, at its option, to make monthly payments by redeeming such payment amount in cash, or by any combination of conversion and redemption.


All amounts due under the Notes were convertible at any time, in whole or in part, at the holder’s option, into A ordinary shares at the initial conversion price of $14.6875. The conversion price was subject to adjustment for stock splits, combinations and similar events, and, in any such event, the number of A ordinary shares issuable upon the conversion of a Note would also be adjusted so that the aggregate conversion price would have been the same immediately before and immediately after any such adjustment. In addition, the conversion price was also subject to an anti-dilution adjustment if the Company issued or was deemed to have issued securities at a price lower than the then applicable conversion price. Further, if the Company sold or issued any securities with “floating” conversion prices based on the market price of the A ordinary shares, a holder of a Note would have the right thereafter to substitute the “floating” conversion price for the conversion price upon conversion of all or part the Note.

The Notes required “buy-in” payments to be made by the Company for failure to deliver any A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion.

On or after December 06, 2019, and subject to certain conditions, the Company had the right to redeem all, but not less than all, of the remaining principal amount of the Notes and all accrued and unpaid interest and late charges in cash at a price equal to 100% of the amount being redeemed, so long as the VWAP of the A ordinary shares exceeded $18.3594 (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations and similar events) for at least 10 consecutive trading days. At any time prior to the date of the redemption, a holder had the right to convert its Note, in whole or in part, into A ordinary shares. The Company had no right to effect an optional redemption if any event of default had occurred and was continuing.

As of June 30, 2020, all amounts due under the Notes have been converted and no principal amount of the Notes remained outstanding.

2020 Notes Offering

On September 30, 2019, the Company closed a registered direct offering (the “2019 Offering”) of $27,500,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s Senior Convertible Notes (collectively, the “New Notes”) for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $24,500,000. The New Notes were issued and sold pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2019, by and among the Company and the buyers party thereto. The 2019 Offering was effected pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated September 26, 2019 under the Registration Statement.

The securities purchase agreement provided, as consideration for the securities purchase agreement and pursuant to the provisions of the Notes, for the Company to waive rights to make redemptions or repayments under the Notes in cash, and for the holder of the Notes (the “2017 Holder”) to waive certain specified rights and terms under the Notes, including certain rights to cash payment of any installment amounts then-due under the Notes, and provided for automatic election by the Company to pay each installment amount in the Company’s A ordinary shares. Additionally, with respect to an aggregate amount of $9 million of installment amounts as to which a conversion notice was delivered by the 2017 Holder but a conversion did not occur prior to September 26, 2019 as a result of the mutual agreement of the Company and the 2017 Holder, the conversion of such installment was deemed to have been voided by the 2017 Holder as of September 3, 2019, such that the installment conversion price was automatically adjusted in accordance with clause (A) of Section 8(b) of the Notes based on the VWAP of the A ordinary shares as of August 26, 2019.

The New Notes will mature on September 30, 2020, unless earlier converted or redeemed, subject to the right of the holders to extend the date under certain circumstances. The New Notes were issued with an original issue discount and do not bear interest except upon the occurrence of an event of default, in which case the New Notes shall bear interest at a rate of 6.0% per annum. The New Notes are senior obligations of the Company.

 

All amounts due under the New Notes are convertible at any time, in whole or in part, at the holder’s option into A ordinary shares at the initial conversion price of $14.6875.$3.59. The conversion price is subject to adjustment for stock splits, combinations and similar events, and, in any such event, the number of A ordinary shares issuable upon the conversion of a New Note will also be adjusted so that the aggregate conversion price shall be the same immediately before and immediately after any such adjustment. In addition, the conversion price is also subject to an anti-dilution adjustment if the Company issues or is deemed to have issued securities at a price lower than the then applicable conversion price. Further, if the Company sells or issues any securities with “floating” conversion prices based on the market price of the A ordinary shares, a holder of a New Note will have the right thereafter to substitute the “floating” conversion price for the conversion price upon conversion of all or part the New Note.

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The New Notes require “buy-in” payments to be made by the Company for failure to deliver any A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion. Holders of New Notes are entitled to receive any dividends paid or distributions made to the holders of A ordinary shares on an “as if converted” basis. If the Company issues options, convertible securities, warrants, shares or similar securities to holders of A ordinary shares, each New Note holder has the right to acquire the same as if the holder had converted its New Note.

 

OnThe New Notes prohibit the Company from entering into specified fundamental transactions unless the successor entity assumes all of the Company’s obligations under the New Notes under a written agreement before the transaction is completed. Upon specified corporate events, a New Note holder will thereafter have the right to receive upon a conversion such shares, securities, cash, assets or after December 6, 2019, and subjectany other property which the holder would have been entitled to certain conditions,receive upon the Companyhappening of the applicable corporate event had the New Note been converted immediately prior to the applicable corporate event. When there is a transaction involving specified changes of control, a New Note holder will have the right to force the Company to redeem all but not less than all,or any portion of the remaining principal amount of the Notes and all accrued and unpaid interest and late chargesholder’s New Note for a purchase price in cash at a price equal to 100%the equal to the greater of (i) 105% of the amount being redeemed, so long as(ii) the VWAPproduct of (A) the amount being redeemed multiplied by (B) the quotient of (1) the highest closing sale price of the A ordinary shares exceeds $18.3594 (as adjustedduring the period beginning on the date immediately before the earlier to occur of (x) the completion of the change of control and (y) the public announcement of the change of control and ending on the date the holder delivers the redemption notice divided by (2) the conversion price then in effect, or (iii) the product of (A) the amount being redeemed multiplied by (B) the quotient of (1) the aggregate cash consideration and the aggregate cash value of any non-cash consideration per A ordinary share to be paid to the holders of A ordinary shares upon the completion of the change of control divided by (2) the conversion price then in effect.

As of June 30, 2020, all amounts due under the New Notes have been converted and no principal amount of the New Notes remained outstanding.

2020 Equity Offering

On January 27, 2020, the Company announced a registered direct offering (the “2020 Equity Offering”) of up to 13,888,889 of the Company’s A ordinary shares to be effected pursuant to a prospectus supplement under the Registration Statement. The A ordinary shares will be issued and sold from time to time pursuant to one or more subscription agreements entered into with the purchasers.

Subject to certain limitations set forth in the subscription agreement, each time the Company wishes to sell A ordinary shares under the agreement, it will notify an investor of the number of shares to be sold and the minimum price below which the sale will not be made. The per share purchase price for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations and similar events)sales will be an amount equal to 95% of the lowest daily VWAP of the A ordinary shares on the New York Stock Exchange for at least 10 consecutiveeach of the five successive trading days. At any time prior todays beginning on the first trading day following the date of the redemption, a holder may convert its Note, in whole or in part, into A ordinary shares. The Company will have no rightCompany’s notice to effect an optional redemptionthe investor. However, if the VWAP on any event of default has occurred andtrading day during this five-day period is continuing.

The Warrants

The Warrants will entitle the holders thereof to purchase,lower than any minimum price specified in the aggregate, upnotice to 2,000,000 A ordinary shares. The Warrants will be exercisable upon their issuance and will expire six months from the Closing Date. The Warrants will initially be exercisable at an exercise price equal to $14.375 per A ordinary shares, subject to certain adjustments. The Warrants may be exercisedinvestor, then for cash, provided that, if there is no effective registration statement available registering the exercise of the Warrants, the Warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis.

The exercise price is subject to adjustment for stock splits, combinations and similar events, and, in anyeach such event,trading day, the number of A ordinary shares issuable uponto be sold under such notice will automatically be reduced by an amount equal to 20% and that trading day will not be included in the exercisefinal determination of the per share purchase price.

The Company makes certain customary representations and warranties in the agreement, including with respect to certain capitalization and securities law matters. The agreement also obligates the parties to indemnify each other for certain losses suffered or incurred by reason of the other party’s breach of the agreement.

As of June 30, 2020, the Company had sold an aggregate of 9,472,522 A ordinary shares for aggregate net proceeds of $ 31,087,500, before deducting estimated expenses, which the Company intends to use to fund investment in new content, with a Warrant will also be adjusted sofocus on digital, and for general corporate purposes. Such proceeds of the 2020 Equity Offering constitute the Additional Equity Financing and satisfy the related closing condition under the Merger Agreement, as described above under the heading “Merger Agreement.”

Reliance Registration Rights Agreement

The Company entered into a registration rights agreement with Reliance Industrial Investments and Holdings Limited, dated August 8, 2018 in connection with the purchase by Reliance Industries Limited, or Reliance, of A ordinary shares. The terms of the registration rights agreement required that the aggregate exercise price shall beCompany register the same immediately before and immediately after any such adjustment. In addition, the exercise price is also subject to an anti-dilution adjustment if the Company issues or is deemed to have issued securities at a price lower than the then applicable exercise price. Further, if the Company sells or issues any securities with “floating” conversion prices based on the market priceresale of the A ordinary shares a holderheld by Reliance as of a Warrant will have the right thereafter to substitutedate of the “floating” conversion price for the exercise price upon exercise of all or part the Warrant.

The Warrants require “buy-in” payments to be made byregistration rights agreement and also requires that the Company for failure to deliverregister the resale of any A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise.

subsequently acquired by Reliance. The option to purchase warrants has expired in JuneCompany filed a Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-227380) on September 17, 2018 as required by the registration rights agreement. The SEC declared the registration statement effective on October 9, 2018.


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We have not entered into any other 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 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.

 

i)     Direct Tax:

 

Indirect Transfer:

Based on the fact that we are considered for tax purposes as a company domiciled abroad, any dividend incomedistributed in respect of ordinary shares will not be subject to any withholding or deduction under the Indian income tax laws. As per the provisions of the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961, income arising directly or indirectly through the saletransfer 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 located in India (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.

 

Dividend Distribution Tax:

Further,

As per the Finance Act 2020, Dividend Distribution Tax (‘DDT’) of 20.56% levied on the companies declaring dividend payments to us by ourhas been abolished with effect from April 1, 2020. Consequently, dividend is taxable in the hands of recipient and there shall be withholding of taxes on such dividends. The withholding tax rate under local laws is 10% (excluding surcharge and cess) for Indian subsidiariesresidents and 20% (excluding surcharge and cess) for non-residents / foreign companies. Benefits are made after subjecting such payments to dividend distributionavailable under the relevant tax in India, at an effective rate of 20.56%, including applicable cess and surcharge.treaties.

 

Equalization Levy:

An equalization levy or EL in respect of certain e-commerce transactions has been introduced in India with effect from June 1, 2016. EL is to be deducted in respect of paymentspayment towards “specified services” (in excess of Indian RupeesINR 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(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 such non-resident.

Further, the Finance Act, 2020 has expanded the scope of EL by covering e-commerce transactions. E - commerce supply or services include online sale of goods, online provision of services or both owned or provided by an E-commerce operator. However, EL shall not be charged in case sales, turnover or gross receipts of the E-commerce operator is less than INR 20 million.

Discharge of EL at the rate of two percent (on a gross basis) is the responsibility of E – commerce operator receiving consideration on the supply or services made to Indian residents, non-residents in “specified circumstances” or any other person using IP address located in India. However, any service or supply made by the E – commerce operator which is in connection to their PE in India will not be liable for EL. If a non-resident company.(not having a PE in India) earns income which is chargeable to EL, then the same would be exempt in the hands of such non-resident.

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Tax on sale of films as ‘Royalty’

Currently, consideration for the sale, distribution or exhibition of cinematographic films is specifically excluded from the definition of Royalty. However, as per Finance Act 2020, the definition of Royalty will be rationalized to include consideration for the sale, distribution or exhibition of cinematographic films (w.e.f. April 1, 2021).

 

Place of Effective Management:

The concept of Place of Effective Management or POEM is introduced 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, and consequently, its global income would be taxable in India (even if it is not earned in India).


Income Computation and Disclosure Standards:

With the adoption of Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS), India now has two financial reporting frameworks (i.e. Ind AS and Indian GAAP) that will co-exist and be applicable to mutually exclusive set of companies. The existence of two financial reporting frameworks has also necessitated a response from the tax authorities to ensure that there is horizontal equity from a taxation point of view, for companies, irrespective of the financial reporting framework they follow. To meet this objective, the Government of India has issued revised Income Computation and Disclosure Standards (“ICDS”) that are applicable in computing taxable income and payment of income taxes thereon with effect from the assessment period for the fiscal year 2017. ICDS are applicable to all taxpayers following an accrual system of accounting for the purpose of computation of income under the heads of “profits and gains of business or profession” and “income from other sources”. The provisions of ICDS are to be considered while computing the tax liability of the Company.

ICDS do not cover the issue relating to computation of Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT), which is based on book profits, for companies transitioning to Ind AS. In response to this need, the Finance Act, 2017 amended the provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961, in order to provide a mechanism for computation of book profits for Ind AS compliant companies for the purpose of levy of MAT.

 

General Anti Avoidance Rules:

The General Anti Avoidance Rules (“GAAR”) have come into effect from financial year 2017-18. The tax consequences of the GAAR provisions beingif applied to an arrangement could result in denial of tax benefit under the domestic tax laws and / or under a tax treaty, amongst other consequences. In the absence of any precedents on the subject, the application of these provisions is uncertain.

 

Multilateral Instrument:

The Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released the final package of all Action Plans of the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project in October 2015. India is a member of G20 and active participant in the BEPS project. The BEPS project lead to a series of measures being developed across several actions such as the digital economy, treaty abuse, design of Controlled Foreign Company Rules, intangibles, country-by-country reporting, preventing artificial avoidance of PE status, improving dispute resolution, etc. Several of these measures required implementation through changes in domestic law. As regards thoseIn order to implement the measures which required implementation throughentailed changes to bilateral tax treaties, itInstrument (MLI) was felt that a Multilateral Convention (MLI) that modifiedintroduced to modify the existing bilateral tax treaty network would be preferable as it wouldand ensure speed and consistency in implementation. Accordingly, MLI was introduced to incorporateinter-alia addresses following treaty related measures identified as part of the final BEPS measures in relation to:measures:

 

Neutralising the effects of hybrid mismatch arrangements;
Preventing the granting of treaty benefits in inappropriate circumstances;
Preventing the artificial avoidance of Permanent Establishment status;
Making dispute resolution mechanisms more effective.

 

On June 07, 2017, India has signed the MLI to implement tax treaty related measures to prevent BEPS, on 7BEPS. On June 2017. The25, 2019, India deposited the instrument of ratification for MLI with OECD along with a list of reservations and notifications. As a result, MLI will operate to modify the existingenter into force for India on October 1, 2019 and its provisions will have effect on India’s tax treaties entered into between various countries.from FY 2020-21 onwards where the other country has also deposited its instrument of ratification with OECD.

 

Significant Economic Presence:

Given the digital age, the need for physical presence in decision makingconducting business is steeply reducing giving way to interaction by way of technology. Having regard to the report of OECD on BEPS Action Plan 1, an amendment haswas been made vide Finance Act 2018 whereby concept of ‘significant economic presence’ shall also constitute ‘business connection’was introduced under the domestic tax laws to cover within the tax ambit transactions in India.digitized business. Significant economic presence shall mean to include:be constituted in cases where:

Transactions in respect of any goods, services or property are carried out by a non-resident in India (including downloading of data or software);
Non-residents engage in systematic and continuous soliciting of business activities or engaging with users in India, through digital means;

if the prescribed thresholds are breached.

Further, if SEP is constituted, attribution of goods, services or property (including downloading of data or software) by a nonresidentprofits for taxation in India;

Non-residents involved in systematic and continuous soliciting of business activities or engaging with users in India;
AttributionIndia shall be restricted to such aforesaid transactions and / or business activities / users in India
India.

 

The threshold of payments received and number of users (mentioned in the aforesaid conditions) shall be prescribed by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) in due course, only after which, one will be able to gauge the impact of this expansion in the provision.

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Further, unless corresponding modifications to PE rules are made in tax treaties, the existing treaty rules will apply. Accordingly, the above provisions would need to be separately evaluated under the tax treaty scenario.

 

Transfer Pricing – Country-by-Country reporting:

Additionally, in relation to transfer pricing, pursuant to theHowever, as per Finance Act, 2016,2020, it is pertinent to note that SEP provisions have been deferred by a three tiered transfer pricing documentation structure was introduced in India, consisting of a master file, a local fileyear 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.shall be effective from April 1, 2021.


 

ii)    Indirect Tax

 

Goods and Services Tax

The historic launchAs far as introduction of Goods and Services Tax (‘GST’(“GST”) in Indiais concerned, it has finally seen lightbeen a little more than three years since its enactment. Most of the day on 1 July 2017. GST has subsumed all existing indirect taxes such as Excise Duty, Service Tax, Countervailing Duty (CVD), Value Added Tax (VAT), Entertainment Tax at State level, Entry Tax etc. intounder earlier regime have been subsumed and only one tax i.e. GST. GST is being levied at national level. In India, there is a dual GST model which is generally describedgrants power to central as ‘onewell as state governments to levy GST on interstate and intrastate transactions, respectively. To a large extent GST has curtailed various exemptions and concessions which were prevalent in the earlier tax for one nation’ has in true sense unified India as one market.regime. The implementation and roll-outbenefits of GST has brought aboutsuch as, elimination of multiple taxes simplifiedand levy of one tax structure, fungibility of credits between goods and services and reduction ofhas reduced the cascading effect thereby reducingand has consequently reduced the overall incidence of tax. While the GST implementation is expected to bring in tax efficiencies in to the economy, the journey so far into the GST regime has had its share of challenges. Some of the major challenges were the initial glitches in the technology and GST network, issues faced by exporters for export without payment of taxes, claiming of credits, coping up with the multiple compliance requirements, etc.taxes.

 

Under GST regime, though the entertainment tax which under earlier regime was levied by state governments in most of the states has been subsumed under GST,GST. However, in certain states the local authorities have been given powers to levy and collect taxes on entertainment. This may be said to be a back door entry by state governments to levy taxes on entertainment. However, to what extent such local authorities will levy entertainment taxes will have to be awaited.

 

On the other hand, the government through its GST council, which has been the backbone of successful GST implementation, has been undertaking number of steps and initiativesCouncil meetings are also trying to streamline transition into GST regime. Such initiatives majorly include simplifying GST return filing process, proposed to introduce concession in GST rates to incentivize promotion of digital payment, issuingresolve various clarifications on law, etc.

Therefore, with the aforementioned developmentsissues that had surfaced under GST, regime,thereby resolving ambiguity for the Media and Entertainment industry and avoiding the possibility of probable tax litigation. However, the impact of GST on the media and entertainment industry are both positive and negative. The industry stands to benefit considerably with the introduction of this biggestGST, due to single tax reformlevy on licensing of copyright, fungibility of credit of goods and overall reduction of cascading effect of taxes having a positive effect on the cost of production and profitability. However, certain concern areas still remain open, for which the industry seek certain amendments in India is expectedthe law and clarifications from the government. The industry awaits a positive response from the government in reference to be worthwhile for the industry.such concern areas.

 

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).

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Summary of Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

 

The following summary describes the material United States federal income tax consequences associated with the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our A ordinary 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 A ordinary shares.

 

Except where noted, this summary applies only to a U.S. Holder that holds A ordinary 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;

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·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 A ordinary 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 directly, indirectly or is deemed to own 10%constructively, 5% or more, by voting power or value, of our voting stock, a person holding our A ordinary 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 (and any investors in such partnership or other pass-through entity), 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 assumes that we will not be treated as a “surrogate foreign corporation” under section 7874 of the Code as a result of the STX Transaction. 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 subject to differing interpretations or 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 (or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) holds our A ordinary 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 A ordinary shares or a partner of a partnership holding our A ordinary shares, you should consult your tax advisors as to the particular United States federal income tax consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of the A ordinary 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 discussion under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company” below, the gross amount of distributions on the A ordinary 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. To the extent that the amount of any distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles) such excess will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the A ordinary shares and thereafter as capital gain recognized on a sale or exchange. 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 A ordinary 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, although there can be no assurance in this regard nor can there be assurance, if our shares are considered to be readily tradable on an established securities market, that our A ordinary shares will continue to be readily tradable on an established securities market in later years. However, even if the A ordinary 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 passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for the taxable year in which we pay a dividend or were a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for the preceding taxable year.year or if we are treated as a “surrogate foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 7874 of the Code. 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.


 

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 A ordinary shares if you:

 

·have held A ordinary 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 20182020 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, 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.

 

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 A ordinary shares, you will be subject to special tax rules with respect to any “excess distribution” received and any gain realizedrealised from a sale or other disposition, including a pledge, of A ordinary 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 A ordinary shares (before the current taxable year) and gain realizedrealised 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,”distribution” (including a disposition) cannot be offset by any net operating losses for such years, and gains (but not losses) realizedrealised on the sale of the A ordinary shares cannot be treated as capital and will be subject to the “excess distribution” regime described above, even if you hold the A ordinary shares as capital assets.

 

In addition, as explained above under “—Taxation of Distributions,” 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.


 

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which you own our A ordinary shares, we will generally continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to you for all succeeding years during which you own our A ordinary shares, even if we cease to meet the threshold requirements for PFIC status.

 

You will generally 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 taxable year is more than $25,000 ($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 or (c) if you have made a mark-to market election (as described below). Other reporting requirements may apply. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding Form 8621 and other information reporting requirements if we are considered a PFIC in any taxable year.


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.election, though no assurances can be made in this regard, nor can there be assurance, if our shares are considered to be “readily tradable” for this purpose, that our A ordinary shares will continue to be “readily tradable”.

 

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, although no assurance can be given that a mark-to-market election will be available to U.S. Holders.

 

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 A ordinary 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 aan A ordinary share in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realizedrealised for the share and your tax basis in the A ordinary share, in each case as determined in United States dollars. Subject to the discussion above under “Passive Foreign Investment Company,” such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss. Capital gains of non-corporate U.S. Holders derived with respect to capital assets held for more than one year are eligible for reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

 

Any gain or loss recognizedrecognised 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 correct taxpayer identification number or (ii) certify that you are not subject to backup withholding.withholding or (iii) otherwise comply with the backup withholding rules. U.S. Holders who are required to establish their exemption from backup withholding must timely provide us or ourthe applicable withholding agent such certification on a properly completed 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. Significant penalties can apply if you are required to file this form and you fail to do so. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding this and other information reporting requirements relating to your ownership of the A ordinary shares.

 

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 A ordinary 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.

135 

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.”

 111

 

ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

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

 

Credit Risk

 

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. Further, in many of the catalogue sales, the trading partners have extended payment terms of up to a year and often fall behind contractual payment terms, thus payment cycle extends to 18 to 24 months. With respect to catalogue and other customers with a long trading history with the Group and who have contracted and paid significant amounts in the past without any prior history of bad debt, the Group closely monitors the same revised payment plans to assure collections. In case of new customer onboarding, the Group follows certain standard Know Your Client (KYC) procedures to ascertain financial stability of the counterparty and follows internal policies to not make ongoing sales to such new customers who are not reasonably current with their payments.

 

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, music licenses, or music licenses.producer/ VFX services. This risk is mitigated by contractual terms which seek to stagger receipts, de-recognition of financial assets and/or the release or airing of content. As at March 31, 2018, 20.5% (2017: 25.1%2020, 40.1% (2019: 20.4%) of trade account receivables were represented by the top five debtors and for the year ended March 31, 2018,2020, a loss on de-recognition of financial assets amounting to $3,562 (2017: Nil$5,285 (2019: $5,988 and 2016: Nil)2018: $3,562) arising on assignment and novation of trade receivable and trade payables with no recourse have been recognized in the statement of Income within other gains/(losses), net. The maximum exposure to credit risk is that shown within the statements of financial position, net of credit impairment loss $10,193 (2017:$112,323 (2019: $ Nil)41,335, 2018: $ 10,193). The maximum credit exposure on financial guarantees given by the Group for various financial facilities is described in Note 33.31.

 

As at March 31, 2018,2020, the Group did not hold any material collateral or other credit enhancements to cover its credit risks associated with its financial assets.

 

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.

 

Foreign Currency Risk

 

We operateThe 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 we faceit faces both translation and transaction currency risks which are principally mitigated by matching foreign currency revenues and costs wherever possible.

 

A majority of ourThe Group’s major revenues are denominated in U.S. dollars,Dollars, Indian Rupees and British Pounds Sterling,pounds sterling which are matched where possible to ourits costs so that these act as an automatic hedge against foreign currency exchange movements.

136 

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, 20182020 would have decreased ourincreased the Company’s net incomeloss before tax by approximately $5.9 million.$6,952 (2019: gain of $7,036 and 2018: gain of $5,935). 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, 20182020 as a result of an increase in the percentage of liabilities compared to assets denominated in foreign currency over the comparative period. As of March 31, 2018, 61.4% of our borrowings are denominated in foreign currency.

In management’sManagement’s opinion, the sensitivity analysis is not representativeunrepresentative 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, 2018,2020, the aggregate value of all such equity investments was $27.3$0.1 million. For further discussion of our investments see Note 17 to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report.

 

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.


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) underITEM 15A. DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Our management is responsible for the Exchange Act, management has evaluated, with the participationdisclosure of our Group Chief Executive Officer and Group 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 proceduresthat are designed to ensureprovide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, of the Commission. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure thatsuch 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,management, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding our required disclosure.

 

Based onIn designing and evaluating the foregoing,disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgement in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

During the evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures and our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that,internal control over financial reporting as atof March 31, 2018,2019, conducted during the preparation of our financial statements, which were included in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended March 31, 2019, our management had concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective and provide a reasonable levelas of assurance.March 31, 2019 because of material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting relating to our Internal Control Environment.

 

Management’sAs required by SEC Rule 13a-15(d), we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2020, and as described under the Status of Remediation of Material Weakness in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting below, the material weaknesses were not fully remediated. As a result, our management concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of March 31, 2020. In light of the material weakness described below, the Company performed additional analysis and other post-closing procedures to determine if its consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by IASB. Accordingly, management concluded that the financial statements included in this Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial ReportingForm 20-F fairly present in all material respects the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flow for the periods presented.

 

ManagementITEM 15B. MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) underRule 13a- 15(d) of 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, Our 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.

Managementhas assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as atof March 31, 2018, based on2020 using the criteria established in 2013Internal“Internal Control Integrated FrameworkFramework” (2013), issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on the above criteria, and as a result of this assessment,Commission (COSO). Our management concluded that as at March 31, 2018, our internal control over financial reporting waswere not effective as of March 31, 2020 because of material weaknesses in providing reasonable assurance regarding the reliabilityour internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, andsuch that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

In connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended March 31, 2020, we identified the following material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting:

a)The Company’s process of performing customer and/ or vendor due diligence assessment prior to sale or purchase is not satisfactory, which could amongst other things result in assigning of inappropriate credit limits to customer and/ or vendor. Customer and vendor business particulars are among the key data which the Company should have documented in a Customer/Vendor’s master file.

b)The management review controls designed by the Company, including review of spreadsheets/excel utility control assessment, did not provide sufficient and appropriate evidence to substantiate a level of aggregation and consistency of performance required to prevent or detect misstatements. To be specific, there was lack of documentation at the level of precision required to demonstrate effective management review, including review of the version changes on the excel utility.

Notwithstanding the material weakness our internal control over financial reporting, the Group performed additional procedures in connection with the preparation of the consolidated financial statements for external purposesthe year ended March 31, 2020 which have allowed management to conclude that, the consolidated financial statements included in accordancethe annual report fairly present, in all material respects, the Group’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.IFRS as issued by the IASB.

 

This annual report does not includeITEM 15C. REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Grant Thornton India LLP , has issued an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regardingon the Company's internal controlscontrol over financial reporting because the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act provides an exemption from such requirement as we qualifyof March 31, 2020, as an emerging growth company.stated in their report included in “Part III — Item 17 — Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Grant Thornton India LLP” in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial ReportingITEM 15D. 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.


 

Status of Remediation of Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The Group actively engaged a third-party independent expert to assist in implementation of the remediation efforts to address the abovementioned material weakness identified in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended March 31, 2019 and any other subsequently identified significant deficiencies or material weaknesses. Our management has taken and completed few initial action steps, with other remaining planned actions to be taken during fiscal 2021, to ensure that the material weakness is remediated in the coming year, which include as follows:

a)The Group has made continuing efforts to improve the design and effectiveness of customer and/or vendor due diligence assessment process by seeking additional details of customer and/or vendor business particulars, which amongst other things will also require timely documentation of the credit assessment of the customer and the vendor made prior to execution of the transactions. In addition, the Group has identified a plan to request for such additional information in respect of ongoing customer/s and vendor/s with transaction greater than a specified threshold in the rolling 12 months, once in a year, and re-validate the customer/s and vendor/s KYC information and/ or set-up amounts up to which credit sales/purchases can be made to such customer/s and vendor/s.

b)The Group has increased the depth and experience of the finance department in the fiscal 2020 and maintained adherence to password protection in respect of excel utility controls, In addition, the trail of management review of the excel utility and the journal entries posted on the ERP system was maintained, The Group will continue to focus on implementing an appropriate and formal training programs for staff, manager and executive levels to ensure policy in respect detailed documentation substantiating the level of precision at which the management review was being performed is maintained and of version change controls in respect of excel utility controls are adhered to. While Company will aim to further enhance the level of documentation trail of the level of precision of the management review performed, on long-term perspective, the Group also plan to automate the controls on the ERP system, including trail of review and approval on the ERP system, both comprehensively and consistent applied across all our subsidiaries.

As discussed in the aforesaid paragraphs, while management has initiated the remediation plan during fiscal 2020 and is focused to enhance them further through fiscal 2021, due to the nature of the remediation process, which amongst other things include obtaining additional information from external parties and conducting of the formal training of the staff, manager and executive, and the need to allow adequate time after implementation to evaluate and test the effectiveness of the controls, no assurance can be given as to the timing of achievement of remediation. Rather, the material weaknesses will be fully remediated when, in the opinion of our management, the revised control processes have been operating for a sufficient period of time and independent validation has been completed to provide reasonable assurance as to their operating effectiveness also. The remediation and ultimate resolution of the material weakness will be reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee.

139 

ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

 

Our Audit Committee members are Mr. Dilip Thakkar (Chairman), Mr. Shailendra Swarup and Mr. ShailendraDhirendra Swarup. Both Mr. Thakkar and SwarupAll the members 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 EthicsConduct and ConductEthics that is applicable to all of our directors, senior management and employees. We have posted the code on our website atwww.erosplc.com. Information contained on our website does not constitute a part of this annual report. We will also make available a copy of the Code of Business EthicsConduct and ConductEthics to any person, without charge, if a written request is made to Investor Relations at our offices at Unit 23, Sovereign Park, Coronation Road, Park Royal, London, NW10 7QP.

 

ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

Grant Thornton India LLP has served as our independent registered public accountant for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2018, 2017,2020 and 2016.2019. 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, 2018, 2017,2020 and 2016.2019.

 

 Fiscal  Fiscal 
 2018  2017  2016  2020  2019 
Audit fees $816,000  $933,000  $1,203,000  $751,000  $1,133,000 
Tax fees  27,000   45,000   45,000   12,000   14,000 

 

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.

 

Tax fees.This category includes fees billed for tax audits.transfer pricing study/certification.

 

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.

 

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 twothree 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 year 2018.2020.


ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

 

Not applicable.


 

ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

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

 

As our shares are listed on the NYSE, we are subject to the NYSE listing standards. However, as a foreign private issuer, we will beare 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.

 

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.


PART III

 

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, 20182020 and 20172019

·Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended March 31, 2018, 2017,2020, 2019, and 20162018

·Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended March 31, 2018, 2017,2020, 2019, and 20162018

·Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended March 31, 2018, 2017,2020, 2019, and 20162018

·Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 2018, 2017,2020, 2019, and 20162018

·Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


ITEM 19. EXHIBITS

 

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

 

Exhibit
Number
Title  
1.1Memorandum of Association (c)
1.2Articles of Association (as currently in effect) (c)(m)
1.3Articles of Association (to become effective upon completion of STX Transaction)(a)
2.1Form of A Share Certificate (d)
4.1Relationship Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2009, between Eros International Media Limited, the Company and Eros Worldwide FZ-LLC (b)
4.2Shareholders’ Agreement, dated as of January 13,2007,13, 2007, between Eros Multimedia Private Limited and The Group and Big Screen Entertainment Private Limited (b)
4.3Shareholders’ Agreement for Ayngaran International Limited, dated as of July 11,200711, 2007 (b)
4.4Employment Agreement of Sunil Lulla as Executive Vice Chairman of Eros International Medial Limited, dated September 29, 2009 (b)
4.5Service Agreement of Prem Parameswaran as Chief Financial Officer and President of North America and Group Chief Financial Officer, dated May 26, 2015 (f)
4.6Service Agreement of Kishore Lulla, dated February 17, 2016 (g)
4.7Service Agreement of Vijay Ahuja as Vice Chairman and President (International) dated June 27, 2006(b)
4.8Rules of the Eros International Plc Bonus Share Plan Unapproved Option Scheme 2006, dated May 17, 2006 (b)
4.94.8Credit 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)
4.10Increase Confirmation, dated January 12, 2012, from UBS AG, Singapore Branch, to Lloyds TSB Bank Plc as Facility Agent and Eros International Plc(b)
4.11IPO Plan Form of Option Agreement (d)
4.124.9Eros International Media Pvt. Ltd. ESOP 2009 (c)
4.134.10Form of Joint Share Ownership Deed Measured By Total Share Return (c)
4.144.11Form of Joint Share Ownership Deed Measured By Super Total Share Return(c)
4.15Form of Joint Share Ownership Deed Measured By Earnings Per Share (c)
4.164.12Employee Benefit Trust Deed (c)
4.174.13Form of Option Agreement for Option Awards Approved April 17, 2012 (d)
4.184.14Service Agreement of Jyoti Deshpande as Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Eros International Plc, date September 5, 2013(e)
4.19Letter agreement for Employment between Eros International PLC, Eros Digital FZ LLC and Jyoti Deshpande dated February 17, 2016.(g)
4.20Employment Agreement of Jyoti Deshpande as Executive Director of Eros International Media Limited, dated August 29, 2013(d)
4.21Service Agreement of Vijay Ahuja as Executive Director of Eros International Pte Ltd, dated April 1, 2013(d)
4.22Service Agreement of Pranab Kapadia as President – Europe & Africa of Eros International Ltd., dated December 1, 2007 (d)

 118

Exhibit
Number4.15
Title
4.23Amended and Restated Service Agreement of Rishika Lulla Singh as Chief Executive Officer – Eros Digital FZ LLC, dated February 17, 2016 (g)
4.244.16Service Agreement of Mark Carbeck as Chief Corporate and Strategy Officer, dated April 3, 2014 (g)
4.254.17Service Agreement of David Maisel as Non-Executive Director, dated February 13, 2015 (f)
4.26Service Agreement of Rajeev Misra as Non-Executive Director, dated June 17, 2015(f)
4.274.18Form of 2014 Option Agreement for Option Awards (f)
4.284.19Form of 2015 Option Agreement for Option Awards (f)
4.294.20Trust Deed constituting the £50 million 6.50% Bonds due 2021, dated October 15, 2014 (f)
4.304.21Amended 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)
4.31Form of Increase Confirmation, dated July 31, 2013, from HSBC Bank Plc to Lloyds TSB Bank Plc as Facility agent and Eros International Plc(d)
4.32Relationship Agreement dated as of September 20, 2016 between Eros International Media Limited and Eros Worldwide FZ LLC (h)(i)
4.334.22Form of Indenture between the Company and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee (i)(j)
4.344.23Form of Supplementary Indenture between the Company and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee (i)(j)
4.354.24Form of Senior Convertible Note (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.34 hereto) (i)(j)
4.25Form of Securities Purchase Agreement(j)
4.26Registration Rights Agreement between Eros International Plc and Reliance Industrial Investments and Holdings Limited, dated August 8, 2018(l)
4.27Form of Securities Purchase Agreement(m)
4.28Form of Senior Convertible Note(m)
4.29Form of Subscription Agreement(n)
4.30Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 17, 2020, among Eros International Plc, STX Filmworks, Inc., England Holdings 2, Inc. and England Merger 1 Corp. (f/k/a/ England Merger Corp.)(a)
4.31Voting and Support Agreement, dated as of April 17, 2020, by and among STX Filmworks, Inc., Kishore Lulla, Rishika Lulla Singh, Beech Investments Limited and Eros Ventures Limited(a)
4.32Subscription Agreement, dated as of April 17, 2020, by and among Eros International Plc and the purchasers thereto(a)
4.33Amendment No. 1 to Subscription Agreement, dated as of July 21, 2020, by Eros International Plc
4.34Form of Class E CVR Agreement(a)
4.35Form of Class D CVR Agreement(a)
4.36Form of WarrantClass C CVR Agreement (i)(a)
4.37Form of Class B CVR Agreement(a)
4.38Form of Class A CVR Agreement(a)
4.39Form of Investors’ Rights Agreement(a)
4.40Form of Registration Rights Agreement(a)
8.1Subsidiaries of Eros International Plc (a)
10.1Form of Securities Purchase Agreement(i)
12.1Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) (a)
12.2Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) (a)
13.1Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (a)
13.2Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350(a)
15.2Consent to Use of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry – Indian Media and Entertainment Industry Reports (a)
101.INSXBRL Instance Document (a)
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (a)
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (a)
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (a)
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (a)
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (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.
(g)Previously filed on July 27, 2016 as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F and incorporated herein by reference.
(h)Previously filed on July 31, 2017 as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F and incorporated herein by reference.
(i)Previously filed on August 4, 2017 as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-219708) and incorporated herein by reference.
(j)Previously filed on December 4, 2017 as an exhibit to the Company’s Current report on Form 6-K and incorporated herein by reference.
(k)Previously filed on March 14, 2018 as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-223643) and incorporated herein by reference.
(l)Previously filed on September 17, 2018 as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-227380) and incorporated herein by reference.
(m)Previously filed on September 26, 2019 as an exhibit to the Company’s Current report on Form 6-K and incorporated herein by reference.
(n)Previously filed on January 27, 2020 as an exhibit to the Company’s Current report on Form 6-K and incorporated herein by reference.

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 31, 201830, 2020EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
   
 By:/s/ Prem Parameswaran
 Name:Prem Parameswaran
 Title:Executive Director, President of North America & Group Chief Financial Officer
By:/s/ Kishore Lulla
Name:Kishore Lulla


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Grant Thornton India LLPF-2
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of March 31, 20182020 and 20172019F-3F-5
Consolidated Statements of IncomeIncome/(Loss) for the years ended March 31, 2018, 20172020, 2019 and 20162018F-4F-6
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive IncomeIncome/(Loss) for the years ended March 31, 2018, 20172020, 2019 and 20162018F-5F-7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 2018, 20172020, 2019 and 20162018F-6F-8
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended March 31, 2018, 20172020, 2019 and 20162018F-8F-10
Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsF-11F-13


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Board of Directors and Shareholders

Eros International PLCPlc

 

Opinion on Financial Statementsthe consolidated financial statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Eros International PLCPlc and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 20182020 and 2017, and2019, the related consolidated statements of income,income/(loss), comprehensive income,income/(loss), changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2018,2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 20182020 and 2017,2019, and the results of theirits operations and theirits cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2018,2020, in conformity with the International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2020, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”), and our report dated July 30, 2020 expressed an adverse opinion.

Substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 (b) to the financial statements, the Company has incurred a net loss of $ 491,704 thousand in current year ended 31 March 2020, including loss from impairment of non-current assets of $431,200 thousand. Further, the Company has a negative net current asset position as of balance sheet date of $ 106,875 thousand and the credit rating of the Company’s Indian listed subsidiary had been significantly downgraded in June 2019 on account of delay in payment of certain banking facilities during the year ended 31 March 2020. Further, Note 2(a) describes the uncertainties relating to the impact of ongoing disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic on the operations of the Company and the related financial impact. These events and factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2 (b). The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties.

Basis for Opinionopinion

 

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidatedthe Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”)the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As a part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting 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.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regardingsupporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statement presentation.statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ Grant Thornton India LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2013.

 

/s/ Grant Thornton India LLP

Mumbai, India

July 31, 201830, 2020


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Shareholders

Eros International Plc

Opinion on internal control over financial reporting

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Eros International Plc and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2020, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). In our opinion, because of the effect of the material weaknesses described in the following paragraphs on the achievement of the objectives of the control criteria, the Company has not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2020, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by COSO.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The following material weaknesses have been identified and included in management’s assessment.

The Management has identified material weaknesses related to (a) lack of sufficiency in the level of precision applied in management review controls, including review of completeness and accuracy of the source data maintained on an excel utility and inadequacy of documentation that provides evidence of review, and (b) the process of performing customer and vendor due diligence assessment prior to execution of sale and purchase transactions is not satisfactory.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended March 31, 2020. The material weaknesses identified above were considered in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the 2020 consolidated financial statements, and this report does not affect our report dated July 30, 2020, which expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

F-3 

Basis for opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and limitations of internal control over financial reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

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

/s/ Grant Thornton India LLP

Mumbai, India

July 30, 2020

F-4 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT MARCH 31, 20182020 AND 20172019

 

    As at March 31 
  Note 2018  2017 
    (in thousands) 
ASSETS          
Non-current assets          
Property and equipment 13 $10,013  $10,354 
Goodwill 14  3,800   4,992 
Intangible assets — trade name 14  14,000   14,000 
Intangible assets — content 15  998,543   904,628 
Intangible assets — others 16  5,280   4,360 
Available-for-sale financial assets 17  27,257   29,613 
Trade and other receivables 19  9,144   11,443 
Income tax receivable    1,269   1,051 
Restricted deposits    1,100   335 
Deferred income tax assets 11  351   112 
Total non-current assets   $1,070,757  $980,888 
           
Current assets          
Inventories 18 $353  $214 
Trade and other receivables 19  245,079   242,762 
Current income tax receivable       253 
Cash and cash equivalents 21  87,762   112,267 
Restricted deposits    6,368   6,981 
Total current assets    339,562   362,477 
           
Total assets   $1,410,319  $1,343,365 
           
LIABILITIES          
Current liabilities          
Trade and other payables 20 $72,142  $120,082 
Acceptances 24  8,898   8,935 
Short-term borrowings 23  151,963   180,029 
Current income tax payable    6,324   7,055 
Total current liabilities   $239,327  $316,101 
           
Non-current liabilities          
Long-term borrowings 23 $124,983  $89,841 
Other long - term liabilities 25  3,073   5,349 
Derivative financial instruments 26     12,553 
Deferred income tax liabilities 11  39,519   35,973 
Total non-current liabilities   $167,575  $143,716 
           
Total liabilities   $406,902  $459,817 
           
EQUITY          
Share capital 27 $35,334  $31,877 
Share premium    453,997   399,686 
Reserves    422,992   436,997 
Other components of equity 30  (48,649)  (48,118)
JSOP reserve 29  (15,985)  (15,985)
Share application money pending allotment    18,000    
Equity attributable to equity holders of Eros International Plc   $865,689  $804,457 
           
Non-controlling interest 37  137,728   79,091 
Total equity   $1,003,417  $883,548 
Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity   $1,410,319  $1,343,365 

     As at March 31, 
  Note  2020  2019 
       (in thousands)     
ASSETS            
Current assets            
Inventories  18  $  $435 
Trade and other receivables — fair value  19   94,749   125,229 
Trade and other receivables — amortised cost  19   12,504   79,916 
Investments  17   3,802   1,042 
Cash and cash equivalents  21   2,563   89,117 
Restricted deposits      4,787   55,858 
Total current assets      118,405   351,597 
Non-current assets            
Property and equipment  13  $9,234  $10,921 
Right-of-use-assets  38   1,512    
Intangible assets — content  15   461,889   706,572 
Intangible assets — others  16   2,935   3,794 
Investments  17   140   2,650 
Trade and other receivables — amortised cost  19   10,761   10,065 
Income tax receivable      1,975   1,284 
Restricted deposits      63   756 
Deferred income tax assets  11   742   1,263 
Total non-current assets     $489,251  $737,305 
Total assets     $607,656  $1,088,902 
LIABILITIES            
Current liabilities            
Trade and other payables  20  $90,941  $83,487 
Acceptances  23   1,858   8,366 
Short-term borrowings — fair value  22   23,100   68,349 
Short-term borrowings — amortised cost  22   93,758   140,559 
Derivative financial instruments  25      620 
Lease liabilities  38   723    
Current income tax payable      14,900   17,291 
Total current liabilities     $225,280  $318,672 
Non-current liabilities            
Long-term borrowings — amortised cost  22   62,114   71,920 
Lease liabilities  38   830    
Other long - term liabilities  24   8,258   13,898 
Deferred income tax liabilities  11   2,688   27,427 
Total non-current liabilities     $73,890  $113,245 
             
Total liabilities     $299,170  $431,917 
             
EQUITY            
Share capital  26  $66,727  $39,326 
Share premium      673,717   580,013 
Reserves      (405,665)  (2,202)
Other components of equity  29   (85,660)  (79,696)
JSOP reserve  28      (15,985)
Equity attributable to equity holders of Eros International Plc     $249,119  $521,456 
Non-controlling interest  36   59,367   135,529 
Total equity     $308,486  $656,985 
Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity     $607,656  $1,088,902 

 

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

F-3F-5 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS)

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018, 20172020, 2019 AND 20162018

 

   Year ended March 31    Year ended March 31 
 Note 2018  2017  2016  Note 2020 2019 2018 
   (in thousands, except per share amounts)    (in thousands, except per share amounts) 
Revenue 5 $261,253  $252,994  $274,428  5 $155,452  $270,126  $261,253 
Cost of sales 6  (134,708)  (164,240)  (172,764) 6  (81,725)  (155,396)  (134,708)
Gross profit    126,545   88,754   101,664     73,727   114,730   126,545 
Administrative costs 6  (68,029)  (63,309)  (64,019) 6  (144,319)  (87,134)  (68,029)
Operating profit    58,516   25,445   37,645 
Operating (loss)/profit before impairment loss    (70,592)  27,596   58,516 
Impairment loss 2(c)  (431,200)  (423,335)   
Operating profit/(loss)    (501,792)  (395,739)  58,516 
Finance costs 8  (19,668)  (19,521)  (13,719) 8  (20,771)  (24,093)  (19,668)
Finance income 8  1,855   2,365   5,709  8  11,992   16,419   1,855 
Net finance costs 8  (17,813)  (17,156)  (8,010) 8  (8,779)  (7,674)  (17,813)
Other gains/(losses), net 9  (41,321)  14,205   (3,636)
(Loss)/Profit before tax    (618)  22,494   25,999 
Income tax expense 10  (9,127)  (11,039)  (12,711)
(Loss)/Profit for the year   $(9,745) $11,455  $13,288 
Other gains/(losses) 9  (3,316)  288   (41,321)
(Loss) before tax    (513,887)  (403,125)  (618)
Income tax 10  22,183   (7,328)  (9,127)
(Loss) for the year   $(491,704) $(410,453) $(9,745)
Attributable to:                            
Equity holders of Eros International Plc   $(22,575) $3,805  $3,797    $(418,992) $(423,867) $(22,575)
Non-controlling interest    12,830   7,650   9,491     (72,712)  13,414   12,830 
   $(9,745) $11,455  $13,288    $(491,704) $(410,453) $(9,745)
(Loss)/Earnings per share (cents)              
Basic (loss)/earnings per share 12  (36.3)  6.4   6.6 
Diluted (loss)/earnings per share 12  (36.3)  5.1   5.2 
(Loss) per share (cents)              
Basic/(loss) per share 12  (389.6)  (599.5)  (36.3)
Diluted/(loss) per share 12  (389.6)  (599.5)  (36.3)

 

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


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOMEINCOME/(LOSS)

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018, 20172020, 2019 AND 20162018

 

  Year ended March 31 
  2018  2017  2016 
  (in thousands, except per share amounts) 
(Loss)/profit for the year $(9,745) $11,455  $13,288 
Other comprehensive income:            
Items that will not be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss            
Revaluation of property and equipment (net of tax)        328 
             
Items that will be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss            
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations  (1,153)  6,618   (12,922)
Exchange differences on revaluation of property and equipment  6   (27)   
Reclassification of cash flow hedge to consolidated statements of income  375   804   804 
Impairment loss on available-for-sale financial assets     (384)   
Total other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year $(772) $7,011  $(11,790)
Total comprehensive income for the year, net of tax $(10,517) $18,466  $1,498 
             
Attributable to            
Equity holders of Eros International Plc  (23,106)  8,997   (5,632)
Non-controlling interest  12,589   9,469   7,130 

  Year ended March 31 
  2020  2019  2018 
  (in thousands, except per share amounts) 
(Loss) for the year $(491,704) $(410,453) $(9,745)
Other comprehensive income:            
Items that will not be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss            
Changes in fair value of investments  (1,860)  (24,687)   
Revaluation of property and equipment     1,745    
Items that will be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss            
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations  (8,031)  (13,934)  (1,153)
Exchange differences on revaluation of property and equipment  (156)  78   6 
Reclassification of cash flow hedge to consolidated statements of income        375 
Fair value gain/(loss) on trade account receivable (FVTOCI)  2,014   (4,664)   
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income for the year $(8,033) $(41,462) $(772)
Total comprehensive loss for the year, net of tax $(499,737) $(451,915) $(10,517)
             
Attributable to            
Equity holders of Eros International Plc  (423,130)  (459,321)  (23,106)
Non-controlling interest  (76,607)  7,406   12,589 

 

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


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018, 20172020, 2019 AND 20162018

 

    Year ended March 31 
  Note 2018  2017  2016 
    (in thousands) 
Cash flow from operating activities              
(Loss)/profit before tax   $(618) $22,494  $25,999 
Adjustments for:              
Depreciation 13  1,265   1,082   1,154 
Share based payments 28  17,918   23,471   30,992 
Amortization of intangible film and content rights 15  115,285   135,316   128,303 
Amortization of other intangible assets 16  1,726   1,816   1,131 
Other non-cash items 31  51,051   (10,616)  4,562 
Net finance costs 8  17,813   17,156   8,010 
Gain on sale of available-for-sale financial assets       (58)   
Movement in trade and other receivables    (91,317)  (72,247)  19,690 
Movement in inventories    (219)  (412)  189 
Movement in trade and other payables    (1,215)  4,172   31,433 
Loss/(gain) on sale of property and equipment    (2)  22   21 
Cash generated from operations    111,687   122,196   251,484 
Interest paid    (20,761)  (18,390)  (12,536)
Income taxes paid    (7,683)  (4,813)  (4,349)
Net cash generated from operating activities   $83,243  $98,993  $234,599 
               
Cash flows from investing activities              
Purchase of available-for-sale investment   $  $  $(230)
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investment       288    
Purchase of property and equipment    (913)  (678)  (1,702)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment    70   2   56 
Proceeds from/(investment in) restricted deposits held with banks    (27)  (4,018)  76 
Deconsolidation/acquisition of cash and cash equivalent in subsidiary    (9)     263 
Purchase of intangible film rights and content rights    (186,757)  (173,481)  (211,253)
Purchase of other intangible assets    (321)     (1,500)
Interest received    2,537   2,696   2,935 
Net cash (used in) investing activities   $(185,420) $(175,191) $(211,355)
               
Cash flows from financing activities              
Proceeds from issue of share capital, net of transaction costs   $16,645  $30,466  $5,414 
Proceeds from sale of shares of a subsidiary    40,221       
Proceeds from issue of shares by subsidiary    556   40   137 
Share application money received pending allotment    18,000       
Proceeds from issue out of treasury shares       938   6,294 
(Repayment of)/ proceeds from/ short term debt with maturity less than three months (net)    211   (39,493)  1,918 
Proceeds from short term debt    48,249   76,310   79,695 
Repayment of short term debt    (43,785)  (66,404)  (72,746)
Proceeds from long term debt, net of transaction costs of Nil (2017: $384, 2016: $139)    111,278   16,522   13,847 
Repayment of long term debt    (113,960)  (12,450)  (26,962)
Net cash generated from financing activities   $77,415  $5,929  $7,597 
               
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents    (24,762)  (70,269)  30,841 
               
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents    257   (238)  (1,731)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year    112,267   182,774   153,664 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year   $87,762  $112,267  $182,774 

    Year ended March 31 
  Note 2020  2019  2018 
    (in thousands) 
Cash flow from operating activities              
(Loss) before tax   $(513,887) $(403,125) $(618)
Adjustments for:              
Depreciation 13  891   1,049   1,265 
Depreciation on ROU 38  1,677         
Share based payments 27  22,268   21,561   17,918 
Amortization of intangible film and content rights 15  64,451   130,155   115,285 
Amortization of other intangible assets 16  894   1,214   1,726 
Other non-cash items 30  100,118   58,438   50,119 
Impairment Loss    431,200   423,335    
Net finance costs 9  17,085   20,901   18,745 
(Gain) on sale of available-for-sale financial assets       (37)   
Loss/(gain) on sale of property and equipment    70   97   (2)
Movement in trade and other receivables    (87,885)  (179,784)  (91,317)
Movement in inventories       (99)  (219)
Movement in trade and other payables    1,995   22,166   (1,215)
Cash generated from operations    38,877   95,871   111,687 
Interest paid    (14,890)  (13,347)  (20,761)
Income taxes paid    (5,249)  (7,558)  (7,683)
Net cash generated from operating activities   $18,738  $74,966  $83,243 
               
Cash flows from investing activities              
Purchase of current investment   $(4,013) $(1,005) $ 
Proceeds from sale of non- current Investment    650         
Purchase of property and equipment    (60)  (380)  (913)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment    82   6   70 
Investment in restricted deposits held with banks    (8,530)  (53,507)  (27)
Restricted deposits matured    59,780   3,952    
Deconsolidation/acquisition of cash and cash equivalent in subsidiary          (9)
Purchase of intangible film rights and content rights    (132,249)  (107,722)  (186,757)
Purchase of other intangible assets    (338)  (907)  (321)
Interest received    4,132   1,830   2,537 
Net cash (used in) investing activities   $(80,546) $(157,733) $(185,420)
               
Cash flows from financing activities              
Proceeds from issue of share capital, net of transaction costs   $5,164  $54,820  $16,645 
Proceeds from issue of shares by subsidiary    17   77   556 
Investment in shares of subsidiary       (2,892)  40,221 
Share application money received pending allotment          18,000 
(Repayment of)/ proceeds from/ short term debt with maturity less than three months (net)          211 
Proceeds from short-term debt    56,337   103,365   48,249 
Repayment of short-term debt    (76,672)  (59,014)  (43,785)
Proceeds from long-term debt, net of transaction costs of Nil (2018: Nil and 2017: $384)           111,278 
Repayment of long-term debt    (7,553)  (12,239)  (113,960)
Payment of lease liability    (1,579)      
Net cash (used in)/ generated from financing activities   $(24,286) $84,117  $77,415 
               
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents    (86,094)  1,350   (24,762)
               
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalent    (460)  5   257 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year    89,117   87,762   112,267 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year   $2,563  $89,117  $87,762 

The cash outflow towards intangible film rights and content right includes, interest paid and capitalized $11,722 (2017: $7,176$6,378 (2019: $9,607 and 2016: $9,204)2018: $11,722).

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

F-6F-8 

 

 

Reconciliation of Liabilities arising from Financing activities:

 

  Long term
debt(*)
  Short term
debt
  Total 
As at March 31, 2017 $198,792  $83,631  $282,423 
Considered in cash flow (net)  (2,682)  4,675   1,993 
Net finance cost  3,575      3,575 
Shares issued in lieu of convertible notes  (32,168)     (32,168)
Convertible notes measured at fair value through profit and loss  13,840      13,840 
Amortization of debt issuance cost  664   (253)  411 
Exchange adjustment  6,888   (298)  6,590 
As at March 31, 2018 $188,909  $87,755  $276,664 
  Long term
debt (*)
  Short term
debt (#)
  Total 
As at March 31, 2019 $147,254  $142,560  $289,814 
Impact on adoption of IFRS 16  (251)     (251)
Considered in cash flow (net)  (7,553)  (20,335)  (27,888)
Finance cost in relation to convertible notes and lease liabilities  4,245   1,272   5,517 
Shares issued in lieu of convertible note  (82,967)  (8,786)  (91,753)
Change in fair value of convertible notes measured at fair value through profit and loss  10,374   5,613   15,987 
Amortization of debt issuance cost  249   43   292 
Exchange adjustment  (1,998)  (8,890)  (10,888)
As at March 31, 2020 $69,353  $111,477  $180,830 
  Long term
debt(*)
  Short term
debt
(#)
  Total 
As at March 31, 2018 $188,909  $96,653  $285,562 
Considered in cash flow (net)  (12,239)  44,351   32,112 
Net finance cost in relation to convertible notes  10,682      10,682 
Shares issued in lieu of convertible note  (49,741)     (49,741)
Movement in derivative financial instruments     902   902 
Borrowing for purchase of property and equipment, net  424      424 
Amortization of debt issuance cost  415      415 
Transfer of long-term loan to short- term loan  (5,555)  5,555    
Changes in fair value of convertible notes measured at fair value through profit and loss  21,398      21,398 
Exchange adjustment  (7,039)  (4,901)  (11,940))
As at March 31, 2019 $147,254  $142,560  $289,814 

(*) including current portion of long- term debt.

(#) Including acceptances and derivative financial instrumentsinstruments.

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

F-7 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2018

     Other components of equity Reserves           
 Share
capital
 Share
premium
account
 Currency
translation
reserve
 Available
 for sale
fair value reserves
 Revaluation
reserve
 Hedging
reserve
 Reverse
acquisition
reserve
 Merger
reserve
 Retained
earnings
 JSOP
reserve
 Share
Application Reserve
 Equity
Attributable to
Shareholders
of EROS
International
PLC
 Non-
controlling
interest
 Total
equity
 
 (in thousands) 
Balance as at April 1, 2017$31,877 $399,686 $(55,810)$6,238 $1,829 $(375)$(22,752)$70,275 $389,474 $(15,985)  $804,457 $79,091 $883,548 
                                           
(Loss)/Profit for the year                 (22,575)     (22,575) 12,830  (9,745)
                                           
Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year     (912)   6  375            (531) (241) (772)
                                           
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year     (912)   6  375      (22,575)     (23,106) 12,589  (10,517)
                                           
Share based compensation (Refer Note 28)                 17,316      17,316  602  17,918 
                                           
Shares issued on exercise of employee stock options and awards (Refer Note 27) 277  8,894              (8,955)     216    216 
                                           
Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control (Refer Note 4)               209       209  40,568  40,777 
                                           
Issue of shares, net of transaction costs of Nil (Refer Note 27) 555  15,874                    16,429    16,429 
                                           
Loss of control  in a subsidiary (Refer Note 4)                         4,878  4,878 
                                           
Shares pending for allotment (Refer Note 27)                     18,000  18,000    18,000 
                                           
Shares issued in lieu of convertible notes (Refer Note 27) 2,625  29,543                    32,168    32,168 
                                           
Balance as at March 31, 2018$35,334 $453,997 $(56,722)$6,238 $1,835 $ $(22,752)$70,484 $375,260 $(15,985)$18,000 $865,689 $137,728 $1,003,417 

 

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


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 20172020

  

     Other components of equity Reserves         
 Share
capital
 Share
premium
account
 Currency
translation
reserve
 Available
 for sale
fair value reserves
 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 at April 1, 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 
                                        
Profit for the year                 3,805    3,805  7.650  11,455 
                                        
Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year     4,799  (384) (27) 804          5,192  1,819  7011 
                                        
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year     4,799  (384) (27) 804      3,805    8,997  9,469  18,466 
                                        
Issue of shares, net of transaction costs of Nil (Refer Note 27) 808  29,712                  30,520    30,520 
                                        
Share based compensation (Refer Note 28)                 22,901    22,901  570  23,471 
                                        
Shares issued on exercise of employee stock options and awards (Refer Note 27) 276  13,273              (13,549)        
                                        
Issue out of treasury shares (Refer Note 29)   (164)               1,182  1,018    1,018 
                                        
Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control               689      689  290  979 
                                        
Balance as at March 31, 2017$31,877 $399,686 $(55,810)$6,238 $1,829 $(375)$(22,752)$70,275 $389,474 $(15,985)$804,457 $79,091 $883,548 

        Other components of equity                
  Share
capital
  Share
premium
account
  Currency
translation
reserve
  Available
 for sale
fair value reserves
  Revaluation
reserve
  Reserves  JSOP
reserve
  Equity
Attributable to
Shareholders
of EROS
International
PLC
  Non-
controlling
interest
  Total
equity
 
  (in thousands) 
Balance as at March 31, 2019 $39,326  $580,013  $(64,179) $(18,449) $2,932  $(2,202) $(15,985) $521,456  $135,529  $656,985 
                                         
Loss for the period                 (418,992)     (418,992)  (72,712)  (491,704)
                                        
Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the period        (3,948)  (1,860)  (156)  1,826      (4,138)  (3,895)  (8,033)
                                         
Total comprehensive loss for the period        (3,948)  (1,860)  (156)  (417,166)     (423,130)  (76,607)  (499,737)
                                         

Shares issued on exercise of employee stock options and awards*

(Refer Note 26)

  3,505   4,896            (8,137)     264      264 
                                         
Share based compensation (Refer Note 27)                 22,207      22,207   61   22,268 
                                         
Shares issued in lieu of cash
(Refer Note 26)
  2,079   8,971                  11,050      11,050 
                                         
Payables settled by issuance of shares  (Refer Note 26)  3,296   22,590                  25,886      25,886 
                                         
Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control                 (367)     (367)  384   17 
                                         
Closure of JSOP Trust     (15,985)              15,985          
                                         
Shares issued in lieu of convertible notes
(Refer Note 26)
  18,521   73,232                  91,753      91,753 
                                         
Balance as at March 31, 2020 $66,727  $673,717  $(68,127) $(20,309) $2,776  $(405,665) $  $249,119  $59,367  $308,486 

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part

*Includes issuance of these consolidated financial statements.6,808,320 treasury shares


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
fair value reserves
 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 at 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 27) 153  5,302                  5,455    5,455 
                                        
Share based compensation (Refer Note 28) 18  7,191              23,324    30,533  459  30,992 
                                        
Issue out of treasury shares (Refer Note 29)   (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 at 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 consolidated financial statements.

F-10 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2019

        Other components of equity                   
  Share
capital
  Share
premium
account
  Currency
translation
reserve
  Available
 for sale
fair value reserves
  Revaluation
reserve
  Reserves  JSOP
reserve
  Share
Application
Reserve
  Equity
Attributable to
Shareholders
of EROS
International
PLC
  Non-
controlling
interest
   Total
equity
 
  (in thousands) 
Balance as at March 31, 2018 $35,334  $453,997  $(56,722) $6,238  $1,835  $422,992  $(15,985) $18,000  $865,689  $137,728  $1,003,417 
                                             
Adoption of IFRS 15/9        (34)        (14,270)        (14,304)  (3,520)  (17,824)
                                             
Balance as at April 1, 2018 $35,334  $453,997  $(56,756) $6,238  $1,835  $408,722  $(15,985) $18,000  $851,385  $134,208  $985,593 
                                             
Profit for the period                 (423,867)        (423,867)  13,414   (410,453)
                                             
Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the period        (7,423)  (24,687)  1,097   (4,441)        (35,454)  (6,008)  (41,462)
                                             
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period        (7,423)  (24,687)  1,097   (428,308)        (459,321)  7,406   (451,915)
                                             
Issue of shares (Refer Note 26)  1,948   70,718                  (18,000)  54,666      54,666 
                                             
Shares issued on exercise of employee stock options and awards  302   7,299            (7,447)        154      154 
                                             
Share based Compensation (Refer Note 26)                 21,118         21,118   443   21,561 
                                             
Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control                 3,713         3,713   (6,528)  (2,815)
                                             
Shares issued in lieu of convertible notes (Refer Note 26)  1,742   47,999                     49,741      49,741 
                                             
Balance as at March 31, 2019 $39,326  $580,013  $(64,179) $(18,449) $2,932  $(2,202) $(15,985) $  $521,456  $135,529  $656,985 

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

F-11 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2018

        Other components of equity                      
  Share
capital
  Share
premium
account
  Currency
translation
reserve
  Available
 for sale
fair value reserves
  Revaluation
reserve
  Hedging
reserve
  Reserves  JSOP
reserve
  Share
Application
Reserve
  Equity
Attributable to
Shareholders
of EROS
International
PLC
  Non-
controlling
interest
  Total
equity
 
  (in thousands) 
Balance as at April 1, 2017 $31,877  $399,686  $(55,810) $6,238  $1,829  $(375) $436,997  $(15,985) $  $804,457  $79,091  $883,548 
                                                 
(Loss)/Profit for the year                    (22,575)        (22,575)  12,830   (9,745)
                                                 
Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year        (912)     6   375            (531)  (241)  (772)
                                                 
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year        (912)     6   375   (22,575)        (23,106)  12,589   (10,517)
                                                 
Share based compensation (Refer Note 27)                    17,316         17,316   602   17,918 
                                                 
Shares issued on exercise of employee stock options and awards (Refer Note 27)  277   8,894               (8,955)        216      216 
                                                 
Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control (Refer Note 4)                    209         209   40,568   40,777 
                                                 
Issue of shares, net of transaction costs of Nil (Refer Note 26)  555   15,874                        16,429      16,429 
                                                 
Loss of control  in a subsidiary (Refer Note 4)                                4,878   4,878 
                                                 
Shares pending for allotment (Refer Note 26)                          18,000   18,000      18,000 
                                                 
Shares issued in lieu of convertible notes (Refer Note 26)  2,625   29,543                        32,168      32,168 
                                                 
Balance as at March 31, 2018 $35,334  $453,997  $(56,722) $6,238  $1,835  $  $422,992  $(15,985) $18,000  $865,689  $137,728  $1,003,417 

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

F-12 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1NATURE 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 provision of related content.production services, including visual special effects, for filmed entertainment sector . 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 First Names House, Victoria Road, Douglas, Isle of Man IM2 4DF.

 

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 (IASB). 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 equipments certain financial instruments and assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that have been measured at fair value as required by relevant IFRSs.of:

A)revaluation of certain properties and equipment
B)certain financial instruments and assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that have been measured at fair value as required by relevant IFRSs
C)Employee stock option plans which have been recognized at fair value
D)Certain employee benefit plans, which are measured based on actuarial assumptions
E)Trade receivables and Investments recorded at Fair Value Through Profit and Loss (FVTPL) and Fair Value Through Other Comprehensive Income (FVOCI)

 

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 Eros and each of it’sits 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 consolidated financial statements for the year ended March 31, 20182020 were approved by the Eros Board of Directors and authorized for issue on July 28, 2018.30, 2020.

2GLOBAL  PANDEMIC, GOING CONCERN  AND IMPAIRMENT OF NON- CURRENT ASSETS

2(a)GLOBAL PANDEMIC

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (‘Global Pandemic’or ‘COVID-19’) emerged in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. While initially the outbreak was largely concentrated in China and caused significant disruptions to its economy, it has now spread to several other countries, and infections have been reported globally including India, United Kingdom, United States, Dubai, Singapore and Australia where the group through its offices distributes the films theatrically. In response to the public health risks associated with the COVID-19, the Government of the aforesaid countries has announced nation-wide lockdown which resulted in the closure of all the theatres in the respective geographies and caused disruptions in the production and availability of content, including delayed, or in some cases, shortened or cancelled theatrical releases. The lockdown has affected the Group’s ability to generate revenues from the monetization of Indian film content in various distribution channels through agreements with commercial theatre operators. Also refer to note 2 (c), wherein the Group has recorded an impairment charge of $ 431,200 for the year ended March 31, 2020. In addition, refer to note 19, wherein the Group has recorded credit impairment loss of $ 103,109 for the year ended March 31, 2020.

The extent of the adverse impact on the Group’s financial and operational results will be dictated by the length of time that such disruptions continue, which will, in turn, depend on the currently unknowable duration of COVID-19 and among other things, the impact of governmental actions imposed in response to the pandemic and individuals’ and companies’ risk tolerance regarding health matters going forward. The Group’s business also could be significantly affected even after reopening of certain operations, should the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 lead to changes in consumer behaviour (such as social distancing), which the Group currently believes will be temporary.

The Group is continuously monitoring the rapidly evolving situation and its potential impacts on the Group’s financial position, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

22(b)GOING CONCERN ASSUMPTION

 

The Group meets its day to day working capital requirements and funds its investment in content and film rights primarily through a variety of banking arrangements and cash generated from operations.operations, banking arrangements, de-recognition of financial assets and strategic alternatives.

The Group is dependent upon external borrowings for its working capital needs and investment in content and film rights. 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, 2018 and 2017 are shown in Note 32.

 

The borrowings (as set out in Note 23)22) 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. TheDuring the current year, there had been a credit rating downgrade of our Indian listed subsidiary due to delay in repayment of loan instalments.

As at March 31, 2020, Group’s borrowings were $ 178,972, of which $ 117,097 is repayable in fiscal 2021. In addition, the Group is cash generating before capital expenditures and is in full compliance withhas opted for moratorium as per Reserve Bank of India guidelines 2019-2020/2392 on account of global pandemic wherein all the covenants contained in its existing debt facilities.instalments due from 1 March 2020 to 31 August 2020 will be converted  to short-term borrowing post moratorium period.

Further, the Group has reported a negative net current assets position on the balance sheet date.

 

The Group is exposedcontinue to experience significant net loss for fiscal 2020. The Group has incurred loss amounting $491,704 for the year ended March 31, 2020 [after considering the impact of an impairment loss amounting $431,200 as described in Note 2 (c)] when compared to net loss of $ $410,453 [after considering the impact of an impairment loss amounting $423,355 as described in Note 2 (c)] and $9,745 respectively for the year ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

Despite these uncertainties, and uncertainties arising from the global economic climate and alsopandemic, which have been explained in detail in Note 2 (a), 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, Managementmanagement continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the consolidated financial statements.statements as of March 31, 2020 in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB, which assumes that the Group will be able to discharge all its liabilities, including mandatory repayment of the banking facilities, as disclosed in Note 31, as they fall due on account of:

a)On September 26, 2019, the Group entered into a definitive agreement with an institutional investor to procure additional funding of $25,000 through the issuance of senior convertible notes, resulting enhanced liquidity to the Group. Subsequent to the reporting period, the Company fully paid the outstanding balance of senior convertible notes by conversion into A ordinary shares.

b)On April 17, 2020, the Group entered into an Agreement and plan of merger with STX Filmworks, Inc, a Delaware corporation (“STX”) – a Company that specializes in producing, financing, distributing and marketing film, television and digital content. This merger will help create a pre-eminent global media company, which can develop local and international premium content at scale and across many platforms.

As the result of this merger, (i) new investors and existing STX equity investors are expected to contribute incremental equity financing of $125,000 (of which $35,000 is received as on the date of issuance of the financial statements] and (ii) a line of undrawn credit facility totaling to ~$ 100,000 from a large financial institution/s with a moratorium of 5 years will be available to the combined company.

In addition, the Group expects the combined company to be uniquely positioned to benefit from the accelerating consumption of premium digital content in the world’s most important growth markets with robust capital structure and experienced management team. The combined company is also expected to generate operating synergies within 24 months of closing of the merger transaction, stemming from integration and scale benefits, optimization of global content distribution and enhanced monetization of the Eros Now platform.

c)The Group have continued to generate a positive operating cash flow before incurring capital expenditures for the year ended March 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

2(c)IMPAIRMENT OF NON- CURRENT ASSETS

Impairment reviews in respect of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are performed annually. More regular reviews, and impairment reviews in respect of other non-current assets, are performed if events indicate that an impairment review is necessary. Examples of such triggering events would include a significant planned restructuring, a major change in market conditions or technology, reduction in market capitalization, expectations of future operating losses, or negative cash flows. The asset or Cash Generating Unit (CGU) is impaired if carrying amount of the CGU exceeds its recoverable amount.

The group performed impairment assessment as of March 31, 2020. The recoverable amount of the cash generating unit was determined based on value in use.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Value in use was determined based on future cash flows after considering current economic conditions and trends, estimated future operating results, growth rates (which is lower than those considered in previous years) and anticipated future economic conditions. The approach and key (unobservable) assumptions used to determine the cash generating unit’s value in use were as follows:

Assumptions As at
March 31, 2020
  As at
March 31, 2019
 
Growth rate applied beyond approved forecast period  4%   4% 
Pre-tax discount rate  20%   21% 

The Company considered it appropriate to undertake an impairment assessment with reference to the estimated cash flows for the period of four years developed using internal forecast and extrapolated for the fifth year. The growth rates used in the value in use calculation reflect those inherent within the Company’s internal forecast, which is primarily a function of the future assumptions, past performance and management’s expectation of future developments through fiscal 2024.

Accordingly, the Group recorded an impairment loss, totaling to $431,200 and $423,335 as an exceptional item, being significant and non-recurring in nature, within the Statement of Income for the year ended March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019 respectively. Impairment loss is mainly due to changes in the market conditions, including lower projected volume when compared to prior year/s on account of ongoing global pandemic. The aforesaid impairment loss was allocated to Intangible assets - content. [Refer Note 15]

Sensitivity to key assumptions

The change in the key following assumptions used in the impairment review would, in isolation, lead to an increase in impairment loss recognized by followings amounts as at March 31, 2020 (Although it should be noted that these sensitivities do not take account of potential mitigating actions)

  (in millions) 
  As at March 31, 2020  As at March 31, 2019 
Increase in discount rate by 1%  52   54 
Decrease in long term growth rate applied beyond approved forecast period by 1%  67   30 
Decrease in projected volume by 1%  44   63 

 

3SUMMARY 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 37.

Significant new accounting pronouncement


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

New accounting standard IFRS 16, "Leases"

Effective April 1, 2019, IFRS 16, Leases, was adopted by the Group on April 1, 2019. The impact of adopting this new standards on the financial statements at April 1, 2019 are disclosed in note 38.

The Company adopted IFRS 16, Leases, which specifies how to recognize, measure, present and disclose leases. The standard provides a single accounting model, requiring the recognition of assets and liabilities for all major leases previously classified as “operating leases”.

The Company applied the “Modified Retrospective Approach” on the date of initial application (April 1, 2019) and the comparatives for the year ended March 31, 2019 have not been retrospectively adjusted. As of April 1, 2019, no cumulative adjustments have been recorded to the retained earnings.

As such the Company recognizes a lease liability and a corresponding right of use asset, at the lease commencement date. The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, based on the initial amount of the lease liability. The assets are depreciated to the earlier of the end of the useful life of the right-of-use asset or the lease term using the straight-line method as this most closely reflects the expected pattern of consumption of the future economic benefits. The lease term includes periods covered by an option to extend if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise that option. In addition, the right-of-use asset is periodically adjusted for certain re-measurements of the lease liability. There is no impact on transition in opening balance of retained earnings as at April 1, 2019 because of the transition method applied. Further comparatives were not restated.

 

3.2.Basis of consolidation

 

The Group financial statements consolidateof the Group consolidates results of the Company and entities controlled by the Company and its subsidiary undertakings. Control exists when the Company, directly or indirectly, 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.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Unrealized gains on transactions betweenwithin 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 purchaseacquisition 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.values. 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. Gain on bargain purchase is recognized immediately after acquisition in the consolidated statement of income.

 

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 consolidated statements of income.

 

Loss of control policy

 

When a change in the Group’s ownership interest in a subsidiary results in a loss of control over the subsidiary, the assets and liabilities of the subsidiary including any goodwill are derecognized and a gain or loss arising thereto is accounted within Gain/(losses), net with Statement of Income. Amounts previously recognisedrecognized in other comprehensive income in respect of that entity are also reclassified to Statement of Income.

 

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 GroupGroup’s chief executive officer.operating decision maker, which is the Group’s CEO and MD. 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.whole. The management team also monitors performance separately for individual films 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

 

Effective April 1, 2018, the Group has applied IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’ which establishes a comprehensive framework for determining whether, how much and when revenue is to be recognized. IFRS 15 replaces IAS 18 ‘Revenue’, IAS 11 ‘Construction Contracts’ and certain revenue related interpretations and the cumulative effect of initial application is recognised as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings at April 1, 2018. The comparative information for the year ended March 31, 2018 continues to be reported under IAS 18 and IAS 11. Refer note 3.4 – Summary of Significant accounting policies – Revenue is recognized, netrecognition in the Annual report of sales related taxes, when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fees are fixed or determinable,Group for the product is delivered or services have been renderedyear ended March 31, 2019, for revenue recognition policy as per IAS 18 and collectability is reasonably assured. The Group considers the terms of each arrangement to determine the appropriate accounting treatment.IAS 11.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

To determine whether to recognise revenue, the Group follows a 5-step process:

a)Identifying the contract with a customer
b)Identifying the performance obligations
c)Determining the transaction price
d)Allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations
e)Recognising revenue when/as performance obligation(s) are satisfied

Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised products or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration which the Group expects to receive in exchange for those products or services. To ensure collectability of such consideration and financial stability of the counterparty, the Group performs certain standard Know Your Client (KYC) procedures based on their geographic locations and evaluates trend of past collection from such locations.

Revenue is measured based on the transaction price, which is the consideration, adjusted for any discounts and incentives, if any, as specified in the contract with the customer. Revenue also excludes taxes collected from customers. In case of revenues which are subject to change, the Group estimates the amount to be received using the “most likely amount” approach, or the “expected value” approach, as appropriate. This amount is then included in the Group’s estimate of the transaction price only if it is highly probable that a significant reversal of revenue will not occur once any uncertainty surrounding the bonus is resolved. In making this assessment the Group considers its historical performance on similar contracts.

The Group recognises contract liabilities for consideration received in respect of unsatisfied performance obligations and reports these amounts as other liabilities in the statement of financial position (see Note 24). Similarly, if the Group satisfies a performance obligation before it receives the consideration, the Group recognises either a contract asset or a receivable in its statement of financial position, depending on whether something other than the passage of time is required before the consideration is due

The following additional criteria apply in respect of various revenue streams within filmed entertainment:

 

·In arrangements for theatrical distribution, 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 toas the Group.box office receipts gets accrued.

·In arrangements for television syndication, license fees received in advance which do not meet all the above criteria, including commencement of the availability for broadcast under the terms of the related licensing agreement, are included in deferred incomecontract liability until the above criteria for recognition is met.  Further in arrangements where the license fees received in advance is for a period of 12 months or more from the commencement, the company computes significant discounting component at imputed rate of interest on advances received and recognizes within net finance cost in the statement of income. . Accumulated contract liability (deferred revenue) is recognized upon commencement of availability for broadcast.

·In arrangements for catalogue sales, the CompanyGroup recognizes revenue if revenue recognition criteria’s such as a valid sales contract exists, all films arecontent is delivered and the Companycustomer start generating economic benefits from them, the Group is reasonably certain on collectability, and the Company’sGroup’s contractual obligations are complete and are met. Considering the arrangement with catalogue customers provide for a contractual deferred payment terms up to a year and in many cases the payments often fall behind contractual terms, revenues from catalogue sales are recognized net of credit impairment lossfinancing component calculated at imputed market rate of interest on the gross receivables. The re-measurement of such credit impairment lossfinancing period at each balance sheet date and related gains or losses is recognized within administrative costs in the Statement of Income. The unwindingUnwinding of the credit impairment loss reservesuch discount is recognized using effective interest rate within net finance cost in the Statement of Income.

·Digital and ancillary media revenues are recognized at the earlier of when the content is accessed or declared. Fees received for access to the specified and unspecified future content through digital and ancillary media, including usage of over-the-top platform developed by the Group, is recognized on straight line basis over the period of the service contract. Billing in excess of the revenue recognized is shown as deferred revenue.contract liability .

·DVD, CD and video distribution revenue is recognized on the date the product is delivered or if licensed in line with the above criteria. 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.

In arrangement for production services, including visual special effects (VFX), and other technical services to clients, the Group recognizes revenue if revenue recognition criteria’s such as a valid sales contract exists, IP is delivered and the Group is reasonably certain on collectability. Revenue is recognized as the services are delivered based on acceptance of the services performed by the customer.

F-18 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

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 statement of income.

 

3.6.Intangible assets

 

Identifiable intangible assets are recognised when the Group controls the asset, it is probable that future economic benefits attributed to the asset will flow to the Group and the cost of the asset can be reliably measured. 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(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 consolidated statement of income 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 38.3.37.3.

 

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 below intangible assets ranges from 3-6 years. The amortization charge is recognized in the consolidated statements of income within administrative expenses as stated below:

 

  Life of
asset
 Rate of
amortization
% straight line
per annum
Information technology assets 3 years 33
Other intangibles 3 - 6 years 17 - 33

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.

 

Information technology 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.

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

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 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. Management believes that due to change in the key assumptions with respect to volume growth and discount rate has resulted in impairment of Goodwill and Trade name.

 

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 and equipment

 

Property 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.equity through other comprehensive income. Decreases that offset previous increases are charged against other reserves.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

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

 

  Life of
Asset
 Rate of
depreciation
% straight lineWDV
per annum
Freehold building 1060 years 2-102-10
Furniture and fittings and equipment 5 years 15-2015-20
Vehicles and machinery 3-5 years 20-3020-30

 

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.

F-20 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

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. Costs 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.BorrowingsFinancial instruments

 

Borrowings are recognized initially at fair value, netA financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently stated at amortized cost with any difference between the proceeds (netone entity and a financial liability or equity instrument of transaction costs) and the redemption value recognized in the consolidated statement of income 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 reporting date.another entity.

 

3.13.Financial instrumentsi.Recognition, initial measurement and derecognition

 

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognizedrecognised when athe Group entity becomes a 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 orand financial liabilities (other than financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through profit andor loss) and business combination are added to or deducted from the fair value measured on initial recognition of the financial assets or financial liabilities, as appropriate, on initial recognition. Transactionliability.

The transaction costs directly attributable to the acquisition of financial assets orand financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss are recognized immediately in consolidated statements of income.Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset against each other and the net amount reportedrecognised in the consolidatedConsolidated Statement of Income.

A financial asset is primarily derecognised (i.e. removed from the Group’s statement of financial positionposition) when:

a)The rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired, or

b)The Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows under an eligible transaction.

A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled or expires.

ii.Classification

For the purpose of subsequent measurement, financial assets are classified into the following categories upon initial recognition:

Debt instruments at amortised cost
Debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVTOCI)
Debt instruments, derivatives and equity instruments at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)
Equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVTOCI)
Equity instruments measured at fair value profit or loss (FVTPL)

The classification depends on the entity’s business model for managing the financial assets and the contractual terms of the cash flows.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Debt instruments at amortised cost

A ‘debt instrument’ is measured at the amortised cost if both the following conditions are met:

1.The asset is held within a business model whose objective is to hold assets for collecting contractual cash flows, and

2.Contractual terms of the asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest (“SPPI”) on the principal amount outstanding.

After initial measurement, such financial assets are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate (the “EIR”) method. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts future cash receipts or payments through the expected life of the financial instrument, or where appropriate, a shorter period.

Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and onlyfees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortisation is included in finance income/other income in the Consolidated Statement of Income . The losses arising from impairment are recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Income .

Debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income

A ‘debt instrument’ is classified as at the FVTOCI if thereboth of the following criteria are met:

1.The objective of the business model is achieved both by collecting contractual cash flows and selling the financial assets, and

2.The asset’s contractual cash flows represent SPPI.

Debt instruments at fair value through profit or loss

FVTPL is a currently enforceable legal rightresidual category for debt instruments. Any debt instrument, which does not meet the criteria for categorization as at amortized cost or as FVTOCI, is classified as at FVTPL.

Equity instruments

All equity investments in scope of IFRS 9 are measured at fair value. Equity instruments which are held for trading are classified as at FVTPL with all changes recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Income .

For all other equity instruments, the Group may make an irrevocable election to offsetpresent in OCI, the recognizedsubsequent changes in the fair value. The Group makes such election on an instrument-by-instrument basis. If the Group decides to classify an equity instrument as at FVTOCI, then all fair value changes on the instrument, excluding dividends and impairment loss, are recognised in OCI. There is no recycling of the amounts from the OCI to the Consolidated Statement of Income , even on sale of the investment. However, the Group may transfer the cumulative gain or loss within categories of equity.

iii.Impairment of financial assets

In accordance with IFRS 9, the Group applies the expected credit loss (“ECL”) model for measurement and there is an intention to settlerecognition of impairment loss on a net basis, or to realize thefinancial assets and settlecredit risk exposures.

ECL is the liabilities simultaneously.difference between all contractual cash flows that are due to the Group in accordance with the contract and all the cash flows that the entity expects to receive (i.e., all cash shortfalls), discounted at the EIR of the instrument. Lifetime ECL are the expected credit losses resulting from all possible default events over the expected life of a financial instrument. The 12-month ECL is a portion of the lifetime ECL which results from default events that are possible within 12 months after the reporting date.

The Group follows ‘simplified approach’ for recognition of impairment loss allowance on trade receivables, which do not have a significant financing component as per IFRS 15. Simplified approach does not require the Group to track changes in credit risk. Rather, it recognises impairment loss allowance based on lifetime ECL at each reporting date, right from its initial recognition.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

AFor recognition of impairment loss on other financial assets and risk exposure, the Group determines that whether there has been a significant increase in the credit risk since initial recognition. If credit risk has not increased significantly, 12-month ECL is used to provide for impairment loss. However, if credit risk has increased significantly, lifetime ECL is used. If, in a subsequent period, credit quality of the instrument improves such that there is held for trading if:no longer a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, then the entity reverts to recognising impairment loss allowance based on 12-month ECL.

ECL impairment loss allowance (or reversal) recognised during the period is recognised as income/ expense in the Consolidated Statement of Income .

·iv.it has been acquired principally for the purposeClassification and subsequent measurement 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.liabilities

 

TheAll financial liabilities are recognised initially at fair value, adjusted by directly attributable transaction costs.

The measurement 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 classifiedliabilities depends on their classification, as fair value through profit and loss, the exchange component is recognized in consolidated statements of income through “other (gains)/losses.”described below:

 

3.14.Financial assets

Financial assets are divided into the following categories:

·financial assetsliabilities at fair value through profit and loss;or 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 consolidate statement of income.

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 consolidated statements of income 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 consolidate statement of income. Impairment losses recognized in the consolidate statement of income on equity instruments are not reversed through the consolidated statements of income. Impairment losses recognized previously on debt securities are reversed through the consolidated statement of income when the increase can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognized in the consolidate statement of income.


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 reporting 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 frominclude financial liabilities held for trading and financial liabilities designated upon initial recognition as at fair value through profit or loss. Financial liabilities are recognized in consolidated statementsclassified as held for trading if they are incurred for the purpose of income. Such gains or losses incorporate any interest paid and are includedrepurchasing in the “other gains and losses” line item.near term. The Group does not have any financial liabilities classified at fair value through profit or loss.

 

Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost

Other financial liabilities (including borrowing

After initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and trade and other payables)borrowings are subsequently measured at amortizedamortised cost using the effective interestEIR method. Gains and losses are recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Income when the liabilities are derecognised.

 

The effective interest methodAmortised cost is a method of calculating the amortized cost of a financial liabilitycalculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and of allocating interest expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the ratefees or costs that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments (including all fees and points paid or received that formare an integral part of the effective interest rate, transactionEIR. The EIR amortisation is included as finance 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 consolidated statementConsolidated Statement of income within ‘finance costs’ or “finance income”Income .

 

3.16.3.13.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 consolidated statements of income 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.


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 consolidated statements of income, 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 consolidated statements of income in the periods when the hedged item is recognized in consolidated statements of income, in the same line of the consolidated statement of income 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 consolidated statements of income. When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the gain or loss accumulated in equity is recognized immediately in consolidated statements of income.immediately.

 

3.17.3.14.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.

 

3.18.3.15.Leases

 

Leases

Measurement and recognition of leases

The Company considers whether contract is,or contains a lease. A lease is defined as ‘a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to use an asset (the underlying asset) for a period of time in exchange for consideration’.

To apply this definition the Company assesses whether the contract meets three key evaluations which significantlyare whether:

a)the contract contains an identified asset, which is either explicitly identified in the contract or implicitly specified by being identified at the time the asset is made available to the Company
b)the Company has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from use of the identified asset throughout the period of use, considering its rights within the defined scope of the contract.

F-23 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

c)the Company has the right to direct the use of the identified asset throughout the period of use. The Company assess whether it has the right to direct ‘how and for what purpose’ the asset is used throughout the period of use.

Company as a lessee

At lease commencement date, the risksCompany recognises a right-of-use asset and rewards incidental to ownership are not transferreda lease liability on the balance sheet. The right-of-use asset is measured at cost, which is made up of the initial measurement of the lease liability, any initial direct costs incurred by the Company and any lease payments made in advance of the lease commencement date.

The Company depreciates the right-of-use assets on a straight-line basis from the lease commencement date to the lesseeearlier of the end of the useful life of the right-of-use asset or the end of the lease term period. The Company also assesses the right-of-use asset for impairment when such indicators exist.

At the commencement date, the Company measures the lease liability at the present value of the lease payments unpaid at that date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease if that rate is readily available or the Company’s incremental borrowing rate.

Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability are classifiedmade up of fixed payments (including in substance fixed), and payments arising from options reasonably certain to be exercised. Subsequent to initial measurement, the liability will be reduced for payments made and increased for interest expenses. It is remeasured to reflect any reassessment or modification.

The Company has elected to account for short-term leases and leases of low-value assets using the exemption given under IFRS 16. Instead of recognising a right-of-use asset and lease liability, the payments in relation to these are recognised as an expense in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term or on another systematic basis if that basis is more representative of the pattern of the Company’s benefit.

Company as a lessor

Lease income from operating leases. Payments under such leases are charged towhere the consolidated statements ofcompany is lessor is recognised in income on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.lease term.

 

3.19.3.16.Taxation

 

Taxation on profit and loss comprises current income tax and deferred income tax. Tax is recognized in the consolidated statement of income 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 income tax is provided at amounts expected to be paid (or recovered) using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted at the reporting 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 income 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 income tax assets and deferred income 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.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3.20.3.17.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.

 

3.21.3.18.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 reporting 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 consolidated statement of income as part of the gain or loss on disposal.

 

3.22.3.19.Transactions costs relating to equity transactionsEquity shares

 

Equity shares are classified as equity. 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.

 

3.23.3.20.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.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3.24.3.21.Current/Non-current classification

 

The Group presents assets and liabilities in the statement of financial position based on current/non-current classification.

 

An asset is current when it is:

·Expected to be realised or intended to sold or consumed in the normal operating cycle (*)
·Held primarily for the purpose of trading
·Expected to be realised within twelve months after the reporting period or
·Cash or cash equivalent unless restricted from being exchanged or used to settle a liability for at least twelve months after the reporting period

 

All other assets are classified as non-current.

 

(*) The operating cycle for the business activities of the CompanyGroup is considered to be twelve months except in case of catalogue sales, which have been ascertained as two years for the purpose of current / non-current classification of assets.

 

A liability is current when:

·It is expected to be settled in the normal operating cycle
·It is held primarily for the purpose of trading
·It is due to be settled within twelve months after the reporting period or
·There is no unconditional right to defer the settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting period

 

The Group classifies all other liabilities as non-current. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified as non-current assets and liabilities.

 

4.4ACQUISITION, CHANGES IN OWNERSHIP INTEREST IN SUBSIDIARY AND DECONSOLIDATION

 

Acquisition

On August 1, 2015, Eros’ subsidiary Eros International Media Limited (“EIML”) acquired 100% of the shares and voting interests in Universal Power Systems Private Limited (“Techzone”). 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.

Goodwill is attributable mainly to expected synergies and assembled work force arising from the acquisition.

The acquisition of Techzone contributed $3,200 (2017: $4,200) to the Company’s consolidated revenue and a (loss)/profit of $(2,000) (2017: $0.300) to the Company’s profit for the year ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017.

Changes in ownership interest in a subsidiary

 

As of March 31, 2018,2020, EIML has 1,624,035 (2017: 2,108,063)479,614 (2019: 757,886), stock option outstanding under the India IPO Plan. In the year ended March 31, 2018, 1,113,160 (2017: 269,553)2020, 121,496 (2019: 536,263) options were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of INR 32.19 (2017:10 (2019: INR 10.00)10) per share. Further, Eros Worldwide FZ LLC has sold 11,716,850 shares of Eros International Media Limited in fiscal 2018 for a total cash consideration of $40,221 to reduce its revolving credit facility, resulting in to decrease in its percentage holding by 12.03%.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Deconsolidation

 

During fiscal 2018, the Group had divested its 51 percent equity interest in Ayngaran Group to the non-controlling investee. The sale of the 51 percent equity interest in the majority-owned subsidiary resulted in a loss of control of the subsidiary, and therefore it was deconsolidated from the Company's financial statements during fiscal 2018.

 

The Company recognizedrecognised loss of $14,649 on the deconsolidation, measured as the fair value of the consideration received for the 51 percent equity interest in the former subsidiary and the fair value of the financial asset retained in the former subsidiary on deconsolidation.Of the above, loss of $457 resulted on account of recording the retained financial assets at fair value. The aforesaid loss has beenwas recorded within other gains/(losses), net in Statement of Income.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

5BUSINESS SEGMENTAL DATA

 

The Group acquires, co-produces, distributes and distributesprovides production services, including visual special effects (VFX) in respect of Indian films in multiple formats worldwide. Film contentadvances is monitored and strategic decisions around the business operations are made based on the film content,filmed entertainment sector, whether it is new release, library or library.services. Hence, the Management identifies only one operating segment in the business, film content.filmed entertainment. 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  Year ended March 31 
 2018  2017  2016  2020  2019  2018 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Revenue by region of domicile of Group’s operation                        
India $98,073  $121,966  $159,855  $41,119  $100,387  $98,073 
Europe  27,028   25,686   34,209   26,927   63,196   27,028 
North America  1,244   2,549   14,622   1,309   1,759   1,244 
Rest of the world  134,908   102,793   65,742   86,097   104,784   134,908 
Total Revenue $261,253  $252,994  $274,428 
Total Revenue (*) $155,452  $270,126  $261,253 

 

Revenue of $103,263 (2017: $74,006$85,793 (2019: $81,409 and 2016: $35,869)2018: $103,263) from the United Arab Emirates and is included within Rest of the world and revenue of $27,028 (2017: $25,686$26,927 (2019: $63,196 and 2016: $34,209)2018: $27,028) from the United Kingdom and Isle of Man are included under Europe in the above table.

 

 Year ended March 31  Year ended March 31 
 2018  2017  2016  2020  2019  2018 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Revenue by region of domicile of customer’s location                        
India $109,986  $129,251  $158,843  $44,887  $116,078  $109,986 
Europe  7,739   7,695   24,367   94,887   2,345   7,739 
North America  5,147   10,132   19,865   6,078   5,682   5,147 
Rest of the world  138,381   105,916   71,353   9,600   146,021   138,381 
Total Revenue $261,253  $252,994  $274,428 
Total Revenue (*) $155,452  $270,126  $261,253 

 

Revenue of $67,993 (2017: $62,966$1,329 (2019: $62,527 and 2016: $61,546)2018: $67,993) from the United Arab Emirates isand $5,240 from China are included within Rest of the world and revenue of $5,200 (2017: $5,791$81,465 (2019: $1,180 and 2016: $22,755)2018: $5,200) from United Kingdom is included under Europe in the above table. In each year no revenue arose in the Isle of Man.

 

For the year ended March 31, 2018,2020, March 31, 20172019 and March 31, 2016, no2018, two customers accounted for more than 10% of the Group’s total revenues.revenues

  Year ended March 31 
  2020  2019  2018 
  (in thousands) 
Revenue by source            
Theatrical $10,586  $69,542  $79,069 
Satellite Content licensing  7,112   77,453   97,168 
Digital and other ancillary(*)  137,754   123,131   85,016 
Total Revenue(**) $155,452  $270,126  $261,253 

(*) the ancillary includes revenue from providing producer support and VFX services to customers

(**) Net of significant discounting component $5,558 (2019: $34,467 and 2018: $6,816 ). [Refer Note 19].


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Segment assets by region of domicile of Group’s operation:operation:

 

  Total  India  North
America
  Europe  Rest of the
World
 
  (in thousands) 
Non-current assets(*)                    
As of March 31, 2018 $1,032,736  $354,843  $7  $18,678  $659,208 
As of March 31, 2017 $938,669  $386,921  $13  $24,620  $527,115 
  Total  India  North
America
  Europe  Rest of the
World
 
  (in thousands) 
Non-current assets (*)                    
As of March 31, 2020 $475,633  $152,340  $1  $25,860  $297,432 
As of March 31, 2019 $722,043  $336,431  $4  $34,217  $351,391 

   

Segment assets of $570,016 (2017: $514,089)$292,109 (2019: $295,685) in the United Arab Emirates is included under Rest of the world and segment assets of $18,678 (2017: $24,620)$25,601 (2019: $32,287) and $259 (2019: $1,903) in the United Kingdom and IOM respectively is included under Europe in the above table. In each year, there were no segment assets in the Isle of Man.

 

(*) Non-current assets include property and equipment, right of use assets, intangibles assets (tradename, content(content and others) goodwill and restricted deposit by geographic area.

 

6NATURE OF EXPENSES

 

(Loss)/Profit for the year is arrived at after the following are charged to the consolidate statements of income:

 

 Year ended March 31  Year ended March 31 
 2018  2017  2016  2020  2019  2018 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Publicity and advertisement costs $12,684  $17,152  $22,333  $11,452  $19,779  $12,684 
Film distribution costs  6,739   11,772   22,128   1,320   5,462   6,739 
Amortisation expenses  115,285   135,316   128,303 
Personnel costs  35,661   42,902   46,414 
Amortization expenses [Refer note 15]  64,451   130,155   115,285 
Personnel costs [Refer note 7]  36,697   37,015   35,661 
Rent expenses  1,359   1,559   2,112   391   1,916   1,359 
Legal and professional expenses  8,204   4,697   3,177   4,615   6,980   8,204 
Provision for trade and other receivables  1,968   2,430   1,315         1,968 
Bad debt  2,772               2,772 
Credit impairment loss, net  4,308       
Credit impairment loss, net [Refer note 19]  97,551   25,741   4,308 
Depreciation and amortization of other intangibles  2,991   2,898   2,285   3,462   2,263   2,991 
Impairment charge on goodwill (Refer note 14)  1,205       
Impairment loss on content advances and loans and advances  353   1,887   2,545 
Other expenses  9,208   6,936   6,171 
Impairment charge on goodwill        1,205 
Impairment loss on content advances        353 
Impairment loss on advances to content vendors     7,284    
Others  6,105   5,935   9,208 
 $202,737  $227,549  $236,783  $226,044  $242,530  $202,737 
Cost of services $81,725  $155,396  $134,708 
Administrative costs $144,319  $87,134  $68,029 

 

7PERSONNEL COSTS

 

 Year ended March 31  Year ended March 31 
 2018  2017  2016  2020  2019  2018 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Salaries $16,790  $18,590  $14,616  $13,781  $14,591  $16,790 
Social security and other employment charges  916   792   771   617   831   916 
Salaries and other charges  17,706   19,382   15,387   14,398   15,422   17,706 
Share based compensation (Refer Note 28)  17,918   23,471   30,992 
Share based compensation (Refer note 27)  22,268   21,561   17,918��
Pension charges  37   49   35   31   32   37 
 $35,661  $42,902  $46,414  $36,697  $37,015  $35,661 

 

 Year ended March 31  Year ended March 31 
Key management compensation 2018  2017  2016  2020  2019  2018 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Salaries $4,919  $5,062  $5,250  $4,395  $4,010  $4,919 
Share based compensation  11,519   15,946   20,916   19,829   13,859   11,519 
Pension charges  16   38   35   23   21   16 
 $16,454  $21,046  $26,201  $24,247  $17,890  $16,454 

F-28 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

8NET FINANCE COSTS

 

 Year ended March 31  Year ended March 31 
 2018  2017  2016  2020 2019 2018 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Interest on borrowings $32,556  $25,828  $22,644 
Interest on borrowings (*) $29,474  $33,530  $32,556 
Reclassification of cash flow hedge to consolidated statements of income  375   804   804         375 
Total interest expense(*)  32,931   26,632   23.448   29,474   33,530   32,931 
Capitalized interest on eligible film rights and content advances  (13,263)  (7,111)  (9,729)  (8,703)  (9,437)  (13,263)
Total finance costs  19,668   19,521   13,719   20,771   24,093   19,668 
Less: Interest income                        
Unwinding of interest  (932)          (9,807)  (13,227)  (932)
Bank deposits  (923)  (2,365)  (5,709)  (2,185)  (3,192)  (923)
Total finance income  (1,855)  (2,365)  (5,709)  (11,992)  (16,419)  (1,855)
             $8,779  $7,674  $17,813 
 $17,813  $17,156  $8,010 

 

For the year ended March 31, 2018,2020, the capitalization rate of interest was 11.5% (2017: 7.6%11.00% (2019: 10.21% and 2016: 6.9%2018:11.56%).

 

(*) Interestincludes interest expense in respect of financial liabilities classified at fair value through profit or loss $4,338 (2017: Nil$5,517 (2019: $10,682 and 2016: Nil)2018: $4,338), significant discounting on long-term advance from customers $1,501 (2019: $458) and leases $ 184

 

9OTHER GAINS/(LOSSES)

 

  Year ended March 31 
  2018  2017  2016 
  (in thousands) 
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain, net $(6,250) $3,872  $(49)
Gain/(loss) on sale of property and equipment 2   (22) (21)
Gain on available-for-sale financial assets     58    
Impairment charge on available -for- sale financial assets (Refer note 17)  (2,436)      
(Loss) on de-recognition of financial assets measured at amortized cost net(*)  (3,562)      
Mark to market gain on derivative financial instrument measured at fair value through profit and loss account (Refer note 26)     10,297   (3,566)
(Loss) on settlement of derivative financial instruments  (586)      
(Loss) on financial liability (convertible notes) measured at fair value through profit and loss account (Refer note 23)  (13,840)      
(Loss) on deconsolidation of a subsidiary (Refer note 4)  (14,649)      
  $(41,321) $14,205  $(3,636)
  Year ended March 31 
  2020  2019  2018 
  (in thousands) 
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain, net $5,650  $5,610  $(6,250)
Gain/(loss) on sale of property and equipment and other Intangibles  (70)  (97)  2 
Gain/(Loss) on available-for-sale financial assets (Refer note 17)  (1,253)  37    
Impairment charge on available -for- sale financial assets (Refer note 17)        (2,436)
(Loss) on de-recognition of financial assets measured at amortized cost net (*)  (5,285)  (5,988)  (3,562)
Mark to market gain/(loss) on derivative financial instrument measured at fair value through profit and loss account (Refer note 25)     (902)   
(Loss) on settlement of derivative financial instruments        (586)
(Loss) on financial liability (convertible notes) measured at fair value through profit and loss account (Refer note 22)  (15,987)  (21,398)  (13,840)
(Loss) on deconsolidation of a subsidiary (Refer note 4)        (14,649)
Reversal of expected credit loss (Refer note 19)  10,382   20,698    
Liabilities no longer required, written-back  2,487        
Credit from Government of India  760   2,328    
  $(3,316) $288  $(41,321)

 

(*) arisingArising on assignment and novation of trade receivables and trade payables with no-recourse. Derecognition of aforesaid financial assets/liabilities measured at amortized cost is to mitigate both credit risk and liquidity risk (Refer Note 32)31).

 

10INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

 Year ended March 31  Year ended March 31 
 2018  2017  2016  2020 2019 2018 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Current income tax expense $5,556  $7,822  $8,161  $1,800  $17,372  $5,556 
Deferred income tax charge  3,571  3,217   4,550 
Deferred income tax (benefit) / charge  (23,983)  (10,044)  3,571 
Income tax expenses $9,127  $11,039  $12,711  $(22,183) $7,328  $9,127 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Reconciliation of tax charge

 

 Year ended March 31  Year ended March 31 
 2018  2017  2016  2020 2019 2018 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
(Loss)/profit before tax $(618) $22,494  $25,999 
Income tax expense at tax rates applicable to individual entities  7,358   10,003   10,785 
(Loss) before tax $(513,887) $(403,125) $(618)
Income tax (benefit)/expense at tax rates applicable to individual entities(#)  (44,763)  6,814   7,358 
Tax effect of:                        
Adjustments in respect of current income tax of previous years  657   375    
Effect of unrecognised tax asset (*)  29,898      657 
Changes in tax rates on temporary differences brought forward  (168)     718   (7,476)  232   (168)
Items not deductible for income tax  486   815   1,131   5   688   486 
Utilisation of unrecognised tax losses  794       
Adjustment in respect of current income tax of previous years     (762)   
Others     (154)  77   153   356   794 
Income tax expense $9,127  $11,039  $12,711  $(22,183) $7,328  $9,127 

(#) Domestic tax is Nil as the Company is subject to income tax in Isle of Man at a rate of zero percent. Foreign taxes are based on applicable tax rates in each subsidiary jurisdiction.

(*) In view of tax losses on Company’s Indian Listed subsidiary, deferred tax assets on deductible temporary differences have been recognised to the extent of deferred tax liability on taxable temporary difference on account of lack of sufficient certainty of future earnings against which such deferred tax asset can be realised. Unrecognised tax asset, in respect of tax losses and deductible temporary differences of $ 118,793, is $ 29,898.

 

11DEFERRED INCOME TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

Changes in deferred income tax assets and liabilities

 

 As At March 31, 2018  As At March 31, 2020 
 Opening
Balance
  Recognized
in consolidated
statements of income
  Exchange
Difference
  Closing
Balance
  Opening
Balance
 Recognized
in
statements of income
 Exchange
Difference
 Closing
Balance
 
 (in thousands)    
Deferred tax assets:                                
Minimum alternate tax carry-forward $11,749  $(10,882) $60  $927  $88  $2  $(6) $84 
Property and equipment  155   (72)     83   76   120   (9)  187 
Credit impairment loss  5,044   (3,740)  (918)  386 
Content advances and film production     11,791   (2,916)  8,875 
Others  1,082   1,440   (80)  2,442   3,281   (4,328)  2,167   1,120 
Total income deferred tax asset $12,986  $(9,514) $(20) $3,452  $8,489  $3,845  $(1,682) $10,652 
Deferred income tax liabilities                
Deferred income tax liabilities:                
Property and equipment  (1,228)  452      (776)  (624)  38   520   (66)
Intangible assets  (47,590)  5,491   284   (41,815)
Others  (29)        (29)
Content advances and film production  (34,029   20,100   1,397   (12,532)
                
Total deferred income tax liability $(48,847) $5,943  $284  $(42,620) $(34,653) $20,138  $1,917  $(12,598)
                                
Net deferred tax (liability) / asset $(35,861) $(3,571) $264  $(39,168)
As at March 31, 2018                
Net deferred tax (liability) $(26,164) $23,983  $235  $(1,946)
As at March 31, 2020                
Deferred income tax asset             $351              $742 
Deferred income tax liability             $(39,519)             $(2,688)


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  As At  March 31, 2017 
  Opening
Balance
  Recognized
in consolidated
statements of income
  Exchange
Difference
  Closing
Balance
 
  (in thousands) 
Deferred tax assets:                
Minimum alternate tax carry-forward $14,170  $(2,621) $200  $11,749 
Property and equipment  57   95   3   155 
Others  834   216   32   1,082 
Total income deferred tax asset $15,061  $(2,310) $235  $12,986 
Deferred income tax liabilities                
Property and equipment  (1,247)  24   (5)  (1,228)
Intangible assets  (45,714)  (917)  (959)  (47,590)
Others  (14)  (14)  (1)  (29)
Total deferred income tax liability $(46,975) $(907) $(965) $(48,847)
                 
Net deferred tax (liability) / asset $(31,914) $(3,217) $(730) $(35,861)
As at March 31, 2017                
Deferred income tax asset             $112 
Deferred income tax liability             $(35,973)

 As At  March 31, 2016     As At March 31, 2019 
 Opening
Balance
  Additions due
to acquisition
during
the year
  Recognized
in consolidated
statements of income
  Recognized
in other
comprehensive
income
  Exchange
Difference
  Closing
Balance
  Opening
Balance
  Impact of adoption of
IFRS 9
  Recognized in
statements of income
  Exchange
Difference
  Closing
Balance
 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Deferred income tax assets:                        
Deferred tax assets:                    
Minimum alternate tax carry-forward $14,246  $  $821  $  $(897) $14,170  $927     $(778) $(61) $88 
Property and equipment  151   86   (177)     (3)  57   83      (2)  (5)  76 
Credit impairment loss     673   4,385   (14)  5,044 
Others  768   48   86      (68)  834   2,442      984   (116)  3,310 
Total deferred income tax asset $15,165  $134  $730  $  $(968) $15,061 
Deferred income tax liabilities                        
Total income deferred tax asset $3,452   673  $4,589  $(196) $8,518 
Deferred income tax liabilities:                    
Property and equipment  (240)     (11)  (1,010)  14   (1,247)  (776)     142   10   (624)
Intangible assets  (41,753)  (1,280)  (5,363)  ��  2,682   (45,714)  (41,815)     5,313   2,473   (34,029)
Others  (107)     94      (1)  (14)  (29)           (29)
Total deferred income tax liabilities $(42,100) $(1,280) $(5,280) $(1,010) $2,695  $(46,975)
Total deferred income tax liability  (42,620)    $5,455  $2,483  $(34,682)
                                            
Net deferred income tax (liability) / asset $(26,935) $(1,146) $(4,550) $(1,010) $1,727  $(31,914)
As at March 31, 2016                        
Net deferred tax (liability)  (39,168)  673  $10,044  $2,287  $(26,164)
As at March 31, 2019                    
Deferred income tax asset                     $167                  $1,263 
Deferred income tax liability                     $(32,081)                 $(27,427)

 

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 recognizedrecognised on the basis that there is reasonable certainty of profitability to utilize the available losses and tax credits. However, in view of tax losses on Group’s Indian listed subsidiary, deferred tax assets on deductible temporary differences have been recognised to the extent of deferred tax liability on taxable temporary difference on account of lack of sufficient certainty of future earnings against which such deferred tax asset can be realised.

Deferred tax liabilities to the extent of $43,962 (2017: $40,432)$21,390 (2019: $49,163 and 2018: $43,962) 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 PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The excess tax paid under MAT provisions over and above normal tax liability can be carried forward and setoff against future tax liabilities computed under normal tax provisions. The Company wasIndian subsidiaries were required to pay MAT in the past years and accordingly, a deferred tax asset of $927 (2017: $11,749$84 (2019: $88 and 2016: $14,170)2018: $927) has been recognised in the balance sheet,consolidated financial position, which can be carried forward for a period of fifteen assessment years immediately succeeding the assessment year in which it becomes allowable.

 


Except for Nil (2017: Nil, 2016: 1,010) 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.

Domestic tax is Nil as the Company is subject to Income tax in IOM at a rate of zero percent. Foreign taxes are based on applicable tax rates in each subsidiary jurisdiction.EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

12EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

 

  2018  2017  2016 
  Basic  Diluted  Basic  Diluted  Basic  Diluted 
  (in thousands, except number of shares and earnings per share) 
(Loss)/earnings                  
Earnings attributable to the equity holders of the parent $(22,575)  (22,575) $3,805  $3,805  $3,797  $3,797 
Potential dilutive effect related to share based compensation scheme in subsidiary undertaking     (475)     (673)     (732)
Adjusted earnings attributable to equity holders of the parent $(22,575)  (23,050) $3,805  $3,132  $3,797  $3,065 
Number of shares                        
Weighted average number of shares  62,151,155   62,151,155   59,410,292   59,410,292   57,731,839   57,731,839 
Potential dilutive effect related to share based compensation scheme     1,331,211      1,532,839      1,304,185 
Adjusted weighted average number of shares  62,151,155   63,482,366   59,410,292   60,943,131   57,731,839   59,036,024 
(Loss)/earnings per share                        
(Loss)/earnings attributable to the equity holders of the parent per share (cents)  (36.3)  (36.3)  6.4   5.1   6.6   5.2 

  2020  2019  2018 
  Basic  Diluted  Basic  Diluted  Basic  Diluted 
  (in thousands, except number of shares and earnings per share) 
(Loss)/earnings                        
(Loss)attributable to the equity holders of the parent $(418,992)  (418,992) $(423,867)  (423,867) $(22,575) $(22,575)
Potential dilutive effect related to share based compensation scheme in subsidiary undertaking           (197)     (475)
Adjusted earnings attributable to equity holders of the parent $(418,992)  (418,992) $(423,867)  (424,064) $(22,575) $(23,050)
Number of shares                        
Weighted average number of shares  107,532,584   107,532,584   70,706,579   70,706,579   62,151,155   62,151,155 
Potential dilutive effect related to share based compensation scheme      8,237,299      1,463,640      1,331,211 
Adjusted weighted average number of shares  107,532,584   115,769,883   70,706,579   72,170,219   62,151,155   63,482,366 
(Loss) per share                        
(Loss) attributable to the equity holders of the parent per share (cents)  (389.6)  (389.6)  (599.5)  (599.5)  (36.3)  (36.3)

 

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, retrospectively.

 

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, 2018, 1,025,0002020, 601,667 shares were not included in diluted earnings per share (2017: 1,370,625, 2016: 602,500)(2019: 1,957,035). Since there is loss for the fiscal year 2019, the potential equity shares resulting from dilutive options are not considered as dilutive and hence, the Diluted EPS is same as Basic EPS.

Further, the Company have excluded convertible notes 12,399,78013,888,889 shares because of their effect was anti-dilutive.anti-dilutive (2019 : 7,567,962).

13PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

  As At March 31, 2020 
  Land
and
Building
  Furniture,
fittings and
equipment
  Vehicles  Machinery  Total 
  (in thousands) 
Opening net carrying amount $9,562  $199  $549  $601  $10,911 
Exchange difference  (480)  (8)  (29)  (7)  (524)
Additions  30         31   61 
Adjustment on Adoption of IFRS 16           (243)  (243)
Disposals     (2)  (116)  (2)  (120)
Adjustment of depreciation on disposal     1   28   2   31 
Depreciation charge  (579)  (49)  (132)  (131)  (891)
Balance as at March 31, 2020 $8,533  $141  $300  $251  $9,225 
Capital work-in-progress                 $9 
Net carrying value as at March 31, 2020                 $9,234 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

13PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
  As At March 31, 2020 
  (in thousands) 
Cost or valuation $13,408  $1,749  $1,244  $4,032  $20,433 
Accumulated depreciation  (4,875)  (1,608)  (944)  (3,781)  (11,208)
Net carrying amount $8,533  $141  $300  $251  $9,225 
Capital work-in-progress                 $9 
Net carrying value as at March 31, 2020                 $9,234 

 

 As At March 31, 2018  As At March 31, 2019 
 Land
and
Building
  Furniture,
fittings and
equipment
  Vehicles  Machinery  Total  Land
and
Building
  Furniture,
fittings and
equipment
  Vehicles  Machinery  Total 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Opening net carrying amount $8,791  $432  $504  $606  $10,333  $8,481  $348  $698  $476  $10,003 
Exchange difference  (20)     (4)  (2)  (26)  (292)  (12)  (43)  (12)  (359)
Revaluation  1,745            1,745 
Additions  393   31   422   181   1,027   207   16   116   394   733 
Reclassification and other adjustment      (61)  2      (59)
Disposals     (91)  (468)  (227)  (786)  (449)  (56)     (65)  (570)
Adjustment of depreciation on disposal     79   420   221   720   367   39      61   467 
Depreciation charge  (683)  (103)  (176)  (303)  (1,265)  (497)  (75)  (224)  (253)  (1,049)
Balance as at March 31, 2018 $8,481  $348  $698  $476  $10,003 
Balance as at March 31, 2019 $9,562  $199  $549  $601  $10,911 
Capital work-in-progress                 $10                  $10 
Net carrying value as at March 31, 2018                 $10,013 
Net carrying value as at March 31, 2019                 $10,921 

 

  As At March 31, 2018 
  (in thousands) 
Cost or valuation $12,647  $1,872  $1,314  $4,001  $19,834 
Accumulated depreciation  (4,166)   (1,524)   (616)   (3,525)   (9,831) 
Net carrying amount $8,481  $348  $698  $476  $10,003 
Capital work-in-progress                 $10 
Net carrying value as at March 31, 2018                 $10,013 

  As At March 31, 2017 
  Land
and
Building
  Furniture,
fittings and
equipment
  Vehicles  Machinery  Total 
  (in thousands) 
Opening net carrying amount $8,768  $407  $399  $492  $10,066 
Exchange difference  100   6   11   14   131 
Revaluation               
Additions  385   187   260   463   1,295 
Others     (27)     (26)  (53)
Disposals     (24)  (5)  (5)  (34)
Adjustment of depreciation on disposal        5   5   10 
Depreciation charge  (462)  (117)  (166)  (337)  (1,082)
Balance as at March 31, 2017 $8,791  $432  $504  $606  $10,333 
Capital work-in-progress                 $21 
Net carrying value as at March 31, 2017                 $10,354 

 As At March 31, 2017  As At March 31, 2019 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Cost or valuation $12,274  $1,932  $1,364  $4,049  $19,619  $13,858  $1,759  $1,389  $4,318  $21,324 
Accumulated depreciation  (3,483)  (1,500)  (860)  (3,443)  (9,286)  (4,296)  (1,560)  (840)  (3,717)  (10,413)
Net carrying amount $8791  $432  $504  $606  $10,333  $9,562  $199  $549  $601  $10,911 
Capital work-in-progress                 $21                  $10 
Net carrying value as at March 31, 2017                 $10,354 
Net carrying value as at March 31, 2019                 $10,921 

 

Property and equipment with a net carrying amount of $7,452 (2017: $7,849)$8,189 (2019: $6,685) have been pledged to secure borrowings (Refer Note 23)22).

 

Land and buildings were revalued as at March 31, 20162019 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, 2018,2020, had land and buildings of the Group been carried at historical cost less accumulated depreciation, their carrying amount would have been $5,549 (2017: $5,909)$4,337 (2019: $4,983).

 

Capital work-in-progress of $10 (2017: $21)$9 (2019: $10) primarily related to leasehold improvementMachinery cost in Company’s leased premises.

14GOODWILL AND TRADEMARK

Goodwill and Trademark

Amount in US$
Balance as at March 31, 2019$
Balance as at March 31, 2020$

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

14GOODWILL AND TRADE NAME

  Goodwill  Trade
Name
 
  (in thousands) 
Balance As At March 31, 2018 $3,800  $14,000 
Balance As At March 31, 2017 $4,992  $14,000 

Goodwill Amount in US$ 
Balance as at March 31, 2016 $5,097 
Foreign currency translation  (105)
Balance as at March 31, 2017  4,992 
Foreign currency translation  13 
Impairment (Refer note 6)  (1,205)
Balance as at March 31, 2018 $3,800 

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, 2018, 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 15% and terminal growth rate of 4%.

As of March 31, 2018, 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 4% on the estimated total revenue for a period of four years, extrapolated for the fifth year, and, a pre-tax discount rate of 20% and terminal growth rate of 4%.

Management believes that any reasonably possible change in the key assumptions would not cause the carrying amount (net of an impairment loss of $1,205) to exceed the recoverable amount of the cash generating unit.

15INTANGIBLE CONTENT ASSETS

 

 Gross
Content
Assets
  Accumulated
Amortization
  Content
Assets
  Gross
Content
Assets
 Accumulated
Amortization
 Impairment
Loss
 Content
Assets
 
 (in thousands) 
As at March 31, 2018            
As at March 31, 2020                
Film and content rights $1,493,099  $(854,991) $638,108  $1,835,263  $(975,774) $(557,510) $301,979 
Content advances  349,568      349,568   427,046      (274,325)  152,721 
Film productions  10,867      10,867   12,089      (4,900)  7,189 
Non-current content assets $1,853,534  $(854,991) $998,543  $2,274,398  $(975,774) $(836,735) $461,889 
                            
As at March 31, 2017            
As at March 31, 2019                
Film and content rights $1,430,523  $(796,058) $634,465  $1,675,406   (954,628)  (366,703) $354,075 
Content advances  266,232      266,232   378,268      (38,832)  339,436 
Film productions  3,931      3,931   13,061         13,061 
Non-current content assets $1,700,686  $(796,058) $904,628  $2,066,735   (954,628)  (405,535) $706,572 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Changes in the intangible - content assets are as follows:

  As At ended March 31 
  2020  2019 
  (in thousands) 
Film productions        
Opening balance $13,061  $10,867 
Additions  9,314   3,413 
Exchange difference  (751)  (775)
Impairment loss (Refer to Note 2 (c))  (4,900)   
Transfer to film and content rights  (9,535)  (444)
Closing balance $7,189  $13,061 
         
Content advances        
Opening balance��$339,436  $349,568 
Additions (*) (**)  255,940   261,002 
Reclassifications     (65)
Exchange difference  (9,484)  (12,314)
Impairment loss (Refer to Note 2 (c))  (235,493)  (38,832)
Transfer to film and content rights  (197,678)  (219,923)
Closing balance $152,721  $339,436 
         
Film and content rights        
Opening balance $354,075  $638,108 
Amortization  (64,451)  (130,155)
Exchange difference  (4,486)  (7,542)
Impairment loss (Refer to Note 2 (c))  (190,807)  (366,703)
Transfer from inventory  435    
Transfer from film productions and content advances  207,213   220,367 
Closing balance $301,979  $354,075 

 

  As At ended March 31 
  2018  2017 
  (in thousands) 
Film productions        
Opening balance $3,931  $4,236 
Additions  10,521   5,498 
Exchange difference  (17)  86 
Transfer to film and content rights  (3,568)  (5,889)
Closing balance $10,867  $3,931 
         
Content advances        
Opening balance $266,232  $284,817 
Additions (*)  221,251   236,536 
Exchange difference  (1,100)  2,279 
Impairment (**)  (353)  (1,625)
Transfer to film and content rights  (136,462)  (255,775)
Closing balance $349,568  $266,232 
         
Film and content rights        
Opening balance $634,465  $506,086 
Amortization  (115,285)  (135,316)
Exchange difference  (414)  2,031 
Deconsolidation (Refer Note 4)  (20,688)   
Transfer from film productions and content advances  140,030   261,664 
Closing balance $638,108  $634,465 

Film and content rights with a carrying amount of $321,474 (2017: $321,872)$123,180 (2019: $310,996) have been pledged against secured borrowings (Refer Note 23)22).

 

(*)represents exchangenon-cash movement on account of film rights for non-cash consideration, i.e. de-recognition of financial assetliabilities amounting $14,795.to $90,118 (2019: $160,615) [Refer Note 31].

(**) 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.capital creditors amounting $24,513 were settled by issuance of A Ordinary Shares, [Refer note 26].

 

16INTANGIBLE ASSETS- OTHERASSETS-OTHER

 

Other intangibles comprise of software and other intangibles used within the Group’s digital and home entertainment activities and internal accounting activities.

F-34 

The changes in other intangible assets are as follows:

  As At March 31, 2018 
  (in thousands) 
  Information technology assets  Other
intangibles
  Total 
Opening net carrying amount as on March 31, 2017 $2,160  $2,200  $4,360 
Exchange difference     (7)  (7)
Additions  205   2,450   2,655 
Disposals     (2)  (2)
Amortization charge  (916)  (810)  (1,726)
Closing net carrying amount as on March 31, 2018 $1,449  $3,831  $5,280 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  As At March 31, 2018 
  (in thousands) 
Cost or valuation as on March 31, 2018 $5,055  $6,938  $11,993 
Accumulated amortization  (3,606)  (3,107)  (6,713)
Net carrying amount as on March 31, 2018 $1,449  $3,831  $5,280 

The changes in other intangible assets are as follows:

 

  As At March 31, 2017 ( 
  (in thousands) 
  Information technology assets  Other
intangibles
  Total 
Opening net carrying amount as on March 31, 2016 $3,303  $2,824  $6,127 
Exchange difference  15   36   51 
Disposals     (2)  (2)
Amortization charge  (1,158)  (658)  (1,816)
Closing net carrying amount as on March 31, 2017 $2,160  $2,200  $4,360 
  As At March 31, 2020 
  (in thousands) 
  Information
technology
assets
  Other
intangibles
  Total 
Opening net carrying amount as on March 31, 2019 $1,204  $2,590  $3,794 
Exchange difference     (137)  (137)
Additions         
Disposal and reclassification  (59)  (4)  (63)
Amortization charge  (39)  (855)  (894)
Sub- total  1,106   1,594   2,700 
Intangibles under development        235 
Closing net carrying amount as on March 31, 2020 $1,106  $1,594  $2,935 

 

  As At March 31, 2017 
  (in thousands) 
Cost or valuation as on March 31, 2017 $4,850  $4,497  $9,347 
Accumulated amortization  (2,690)  (2,297)  (4,987)
Net carrying amount as on March 31, 2017 $2,160  $2,200  $4,360 
  As At March 31, 2020 
  (in thousands) 
Cost or valuation as on March 31, 2019 $5,055  $6,466  $11,521 
Accumulated amortization  (3,949)  (4,872)  (8,821)
Net carrying amount as on March 31, 2020 $1,106  $1,594  $2,700 
Intangibles Under Development         $235 
Net carrying value as at March 31, 2020         $2,935 

  As At March 31, 2019 
  (in thousands) 
  Information
 technology
assets
  Other
intangibles
  Total 
Opening net carrying amount as on March 31, 2018 $1,449  $3,831  $5,280 
Exchange difference     (148)  (148)
Additions     907   907 
Disposal and reclassification  59   (1,090)  (1,031)
Amortization charge  (304)  (910)  (1,214)
Closing net carrying amount as on March 31, 2019 $1,204  $2,590  $3,794 

  As At March 31, 2019 
  (in thousands) 
Cost or valuation as on March 31, 2019 $5,114  $6,607  $11,721 
Accumulated amortization  (3,910)  (4,017)  (7,927)
Net carrying amount as on March 31, 2019 $1,204  $2,590  $3,794 

 

Other intangible assets with a carrying amount of $143 (2017: $239)$57 (2019: $92) have been pledged against secured borrowings (Refer Note 23)22).

 

17AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE FINANCIAL ASSETS

 

  As At March 31 
  2018  2017 
  (in thousands) 
Valuable Technologies Limited $11,097  $11,097 
LMB Holdings Limited  16,000   16,800 
Valuable Innovations Private Limited     1,636 
Cloudstream Media Inc  160   80 
  $27,257  $29,613 

  As At March 31 
  2020  2019 
   (in thousands)     
Non-Current investments        
Valuable Technologies Limited $140  $2,000 
LMB Holdings Limited     650 
  $140  $2,650 

Current investments

Polyxo Global Limited

 $225  $1,042 
Plutus Opportunities Fund Limited  3,577    
  $3,942  $3,692 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The movement in the financial assets is as follows:

  Financial Assets
at FVTPL
  Financial Assets
at FVTOCI
 
    
As at March 31, 2018 $27,257  $ 
Reclassification (refer note 29)  (27,257)  27,257 
Additions  1,005   80 
Fair valuation gain / (loss)  37   (24,687)
As at March 31, 2019  1,042  $2,650 
Additions/(Disposal)  4,013   (650)
Fair valuation gain / (loss)  (1,253)  (1,860)
As at March 31, 2020 $3,802  $140 

 

Eros acquired an interest in Valuable TechnologiesTechnologies 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,“UFO Moviez”, the leading provider of Digital projection solutions for cinemas in India Boxtech which is involved with digital movie rentals, and Impact“Impact” whose business is theatrical ticketing and sales data. As at March 31, 2018,2020 and March 31, 2019, Eros owns 7.21%7.2% of Valuable’s equity. InFor the year ended March 31, 2018, due2020 and March 31, 2019, management has used the latest available financial statements, which shows decrease in revenue and increase in losses compared 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 prior years. Accordingly,the fair value recognized inhas been computed using the year ended March 31, 2012.Net Asset Value method. Management has used an estimate of 30% for the discount for lack of liquidity (DLOL). DLOL reflects the ease of investor's ability to liquidate its business interest. As per Eros’s stake of 7.2%, the estimated fair value (Non- Marketable and Non-Control Basis) is arrived at $140.

 

Acacia Investments Holdings Limited (“Acacia”) is a dormant holding company and owns 24%12.97% of L.M.B Holdings Limited (“LMB”) which through its subsidiaries operates satellite television channels, such as B4U Music, B4U Movies“B4U Music”, “B4U Movies” and the“The Movie House Channel.Channel”. As of March 31, 2018,2020, 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. InUntil the year ended March 31, 2018, due to the range of potential outcomes in valuing LMB, the Board was unable to give, with reasonable certainty, a fair value in the absence of detailed financial and/or valuation related information. The range of potential outcomes for the investment was estimated using level 3 inputs, using guideline public companies method with revenue multiple. Considering recent losses incurred by LMB (based on available historical data),The Management has concluded the management believes that an objective evidencesale of impairment exists astheir stake in “LMB Holdings Limited” at reporting date. Accordingly, an impairment loss calculated using difference between maximum value$650 in the rangemonth of potential outcomes and the carrying value of the investment amounting $800 have been recorded in the Statement of Income, within Other gains/ (losses), net.


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. An entity related to Valuable Technologies, Valuable Innovations houses new technology and patents of the Valuable group entities and develops related products. During ended March 31, 2018, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $1,636 within profit or loss basis change in fair value of such investment. The fair value of the investment was estimated using level 3 inputs, wherein net asset value method is used as against income approach, as there are no revenue generating activities in Valuable Innovations.July 2019.

 

Investments in these unquoted equity instrumentsinvestments are not held for trading. Instead, they are held for medium or long-term strategic purpose.purpose fair value of the investment has been derived based on the information and closing statement received from funds.

 

18INVENTORIES

 

  As At March 31 
  2018  2017 
  (in thousands) 
Goods for resale $353  $214 
  $353  $214 
  As At March 31 
  2020  2019 
  (in thousands) 
Goods for resale $  $435 
  $  $435 

 

During the year ended March 31, 2018,2020, inventory of $290 (2017: $350Nil (2019: $93 and 2016: $354)2018: $290) was recognizedrecognised in the consolidated statements of income as an expense. In eachaddition to the year nonethe company has charged Nil (2019: $69) as expense in statement of the expense wasincome as a result of the write down of inventories. Inventories with a carrying amount of $340 (2017: $113)$NIL (2019: $435) have been pledged as security for certain of the Group’s borrowings (Refer note 23)22).


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

19TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

 

 As At March 31  As at 
 2018  2017  March 31,
2020
 March 31,
2019
 
Trade accounts receivables at fair value (*)        
Trade accounts receivables $138,869   156,026 
Credit impairment (loss)  (41,470)  (26,133)
Fair Value gain/(loss)  (2,650)  (4,664)
Trade accounts receivables net  94,749   125,229 
 (in thousands)         
Trade accounts receivables at amortised cost        
Trade accounts receivables $235,191  $226,985  $77,772  $86,331 
Trade accounts receivables reserve     (163)
Credit impairment (loss)  (10,193)     (70,853)  (15,202)
Trade accounts receivables net $224,998  $226,822   6,919   71,129 
                
Other receivables(*)  20,933   25,683 
Total Trade accounts receivables $101,668  $196,358 
        
Balance with statutory authorities  6,568   7,672 
Accrued interest  92   2,188 
Advance to content vendor  1,373   3,462 
Prepaid charges  2,700   277   2,578   1,790 
Unbilled revenue  5,592   1,423 
Unbilled revenues  553   1,717 
Other receivables  5,182   2,023 
Trade and other receivables $254,223  $254,205  $118,014  $215,210 
                
Current trade and other receivables  245,079   242,762 
Non-current trade and other receivables  9,144   11,443 
Current  107,253   205,145 
Non-current  10,761   10,065 
 $254,223  $254,205  $118,014  $215,210 

 

(*(*) Includes derivative assetBusiness model is achieved both by collecting contractual cash flows and de-recognition of $282 (2017: Nil)financial assets arising on assignment and advance to content vendors $8,056 (2017: $10,201).novation transaction. (Refer Note 31)

 

The age of financial assets thataccount receivables net of credit of credit impairment loss are past due but not impaired were as follows:

 

 As At March 31 
 2018  2017  As at 
 (in thousands)  March 31,
2020
  March 31,
2019
 
Not more than three months  40,249   23,593  $15,097  $44,687 
More than three months but not more than six months  21,102   16,729   11,764   15,948 
More than six months but not more than one year  15,813   43,920   14,896   15,310 
More than one year  37,752   58,516   4,899   8,796 
 $114,916  $142,758  $46,656  $84,741 

Trade and other receivables with a net carrying amount of $29,969 (2019: $83,991) have been pledged against secured borrowings (Refer Note 22).


F-37 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The movementsmovement in the trade accounts receivables reserve areallowances for expected credit losses is as follows:

 

  As At  March 31 
  2018  2017  2016 
  (in thousands) 
As at April 1 $163  $130  $250 
Provisions  1,968   2,430   1,315 
Amounts written off  (2,131)  (2,397)  (1,435)
As at March 31 $  $163  $130 
  Year ended 
  March 31, 2020 
  Trade
Receivables
  Other
Receivables
  Total
Receivables
 
Balance as on April 1, 2019 $41,335  $447  $41,782 
Charged to operations  103,109      103,109 
Unwinding of expected credit loss (included in finance income)  (9,807)     (9,807)
Reversal of expected credit loss (included in other gains/(losses))  (10,382)     (10,382)
Bad debts  (6,743)     (6,743)
Translation Adjustment  (5,189)      (5,189)
Balance at the end of the year $112,323  $447  $112,770 

 

The carrying amount of trade accounts receivables and other receivables are considered a reasonable approximation of fair value. Trade and other accounts receivables with a net carrying amount of $92,728 (2017: $60,128) have been pledged against secured borrowings (Refer Note 23).movement in the allowances for expected credit losses is as follows:

  Year ended 
  March 31, 2019 
  Trade
Receivables
  Other
Receivables
  Total
Receivables
 
Balance at the beginning of the period $10,193  $  $10,193 
Impact of adoption of IFRS 9  18,050   447   18,497 
Balance as on April 1, 2018  28,243   447   28,690 
Charged to operations  60,208   7,284   67,492 
Unwinding of expected credit loss (included in finance income)  (13,227)     (13,227)
Reversal of expected credit loss (included in other gains/(losses))  (20,698)     (20,698)
Bad debts  (13,031)  (7,284)  (20,315)
Translation adjustment  (160)     (160)
Balance at the end of the year $41,335  $447  $41,782 

 

20TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

 

  As At March 31 
  2018  2017 
  (in thousands) 
Trade accounts payable $16,886  $12,142 
Accruals and other payables (includes creditors for content assets of $19,809 (2017: $71,983)  31,955   83,405 
Deferred revenue  10,642   7,131 
Accrued interest  2,546   2,862 
Value added taxes and other taxes payable  10,113   14,542 
  $72,142  $120,082 

  As At March 31 
  2020  2019 
  (in thousands) 
Trade accounts payable(*) $21,030  $25,299 
Accruals and other payables (includes creditors for content assets of $29,937 (2019: $16,139))  43,809   32,888 
Contract liability (deferred revenue)  9,827   12,260 
Accrued interest  3,106   2,395 
Value added taxes and other taxes payable  13,169   10,645 
  $90,941  $83,487 

(*) Includes settlement of payables through issuance of shares (Refer note 27). and de-recognition of financial liabilities arising on assignment and novation transaction [Refer note 31]

 

The carrying amount of trade and other payables are considered a reasonable approximation of fair value.

 

21CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and balance with banks (including balances in current account and demand deposits). Cash and cash equivalents included in the statements of cash flows comprise the following amounts in the statement of financial position.

 

  As At March 31 
  2018  2017 
  (in thousands) 
Cash at bank and in hand $87,762  $112,267 
  $87,762  $112,267 

22OPERATING LEASES

The Group has leased various offices under non-cancellable operating lease agreements. The minimum lease rentals to be paid under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

  As At March 31 
  2018  2017 
  (in thousands) 
Within one year $149  $645 
Within two to five years  267   273 
  $416  $918 
  As At March 31 
  2020  2019 
  (in thousands) 
Cash at bank and in hand $2,563  $89,117 
  $2,563  $89,117 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

2322BORROWINGS

 

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

 

 Nominal   As At March 31  Nominal     As at March 31, 
 Interest Rate Maturity 2018  2017  Interest Rate Maturity 2020 2019 
   (in thousands)       (in thousands) 
Asset backed borrowings                        
Vehicle loan 7.5 -10.25% 2017-21 $560  $325  2.5 - 9.5%  2017-22  $127  $382 
Term loan BPLR+1.8% - 2.75% 2017-18     1,264  MCLR +3.2% - 4.50%  2019-22   6,843   12,947 
Term loan BPLR+2.75% 2017-18     466  BR + 2.75%  2020-21   509   1,083 
Term loan BPLR+2.85% 2019-20  3,453   5,776  10.39% - 13.75%  2020-23      251 
Term loan BPLR+2.55% – 3.4% 2020-21  8,767   11,945 
Term Loan 13.75% 2022-23  9,580    
Term loan MCLR+3.45% 2021-22  11,976   14,603 
   $34,336  $34,379       $7,479  $14,663 
Unsecured borrowings                       
Retail bond 6.5%2021-22  70,055   62,672  6.50%  2021-22   62,274   65,215 
Revolving facility(1) LIBOR +1.9%-7.5% and Mandatory Cost 2017-18     85,000 
Convertible Notes(4) 14.2% 2020-21  86,010     
Other borrowings 10.5% 2021-22     5,853 
Convertible notes(1) 14.23%  2020-21      68,349 
   $

156,065

  $153,525        $62,274  $133,564 
                        
Nominal value of borrowings   $190,401  $187,904 
Cumulative effect of unamortized costs    (1,210)  (1,665)
Installments due within one year    (64,208)  (96,398)
Long-term borrowings — at amortized cost   $124,983  $89,841 
Cumulative effect of unamortised costs        (399)  (691)
Instalments due within one year:              
Convertible notes(2)           (68,349)
Others        (7,240)  (7,267)
       $62,114  $71,920 
              
Long-term borrowings at amortised cost       $62,114  $71,920 

 

Bank prime lending rate and marginal cost lending rate (“BPLR” & “MCLR”) 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 (%) 2018  2017 
    (in thousands) 
Asset backed borrowings          
Export credit, bill discounting and overdraft BPLR+1-3.5% $43,518  $41,687 
Export credit and overdraft LIBOR+4.5%  21,226   24,572 
Short term loan(2) 13% - 14.25%  11,537   5,396 
 Short term loan 10.20%  11,474    
Short term loan MCLR+4.25%     4,943 
    $87,755  $76,598 
Unsecured borrowings          
Other short term loan(3) 12% - 14%     7,033 
Installments due within one year on long-term borrowings    64,208   96,398 
Short-term borrowings - at amortized cost   $151,963  $180,029 
  Nominal As at March 31, 
  interest rate (%) 2020  2019 
    (in thousands) 
Asset backed borrowings          
Export credit, bill discounting and overdraft MCLR +.40% to 6% $37,755  $32,078 
Export credit, bill discounting and overdraft Base Rate + 0.5% to 1%  3,442   3,533 
Export credit, bill discounting and overdraft 6.01% - 15.25%  28,773   26,719 
Convertible notes(1) 9.96%  23,100    
Short- term loan(3) 3.25% - 16.45%  16,548   70,962 
    $109,618  $133,292 
Unsecured borrowings          
Instalments due within one year on long-term borrowing    7,240   75,616 
    $116,858  $208,908 
           
Short-term borrowings at fair value    23,100   68,349 
Short-term borrowings at amortised cost   $93,758  $140,559 

 

(1)1The Group re-paid revolving credit facility in December 2017.
(2)Secured by pledge of shares held in the Group’s majority owned subsidiary, Eros International Media Limited, India.
(3)Includes loan of $6,417 as at March 31, 2017 from Eros Television Private Limited, a related party. (See Note 35).

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(4)

Eros International Plc. (“issuer”) issued Senior Convertible Notes (SCN or convertible notes) on 6 December 06, 2017 amounting to US$122,500$122,500 principal amount and option to purchase warrants up to 2,000 of A ordinary share for a term of 6 months at an offer price of $100,000 by private placement. The notes are payable in equal installments of $3,500 per month for 35 months.months starting December 31, 2017. The installments can be paid either in cash or can be converted into A ordinary equity shares of the issuer at the option of the issuer as per the terms of the arrangement.

The holdernotes are fully paid as at the date of reporting. Further, Eros International Plc. (“issuer”) issued Senior Convertible Notes (SCN or convertible notes) on September 25, 2019 amounting to $27,500 principal amount. The maturity date of convertible is September 26, 2020. . The installments will be converted into A ordinary equity shares of the notes can deferissuer at the paymentoption of the amount due on any installment dates to another installment date as well as has the right to accelerate the payment on the notesissuer as per the terms of the agreement

The Company has classified the instrument as a financial liability at fair value through profit or loss. The Company has used the Black – Scholes option pricing model to value the share warrants exercisable within six months and the Monte-Carlo simulation model to obtain the fair value of the convertible notes. The initial fair value of the financial liability recognized on the date of issue was $100,055. Fair value of the financial liability outstanding as at the date of reporting is $86,010.

The mark-to-market loss and interest expensesarrangement.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The holder of the notes can defer the payment of the amount due on any instalment dates to another instalment date as well as has the right to accelerate the payment on the notes as per the terms of the agreement

The Company has classified the instrument as a financial liability at fair value through profit or loss. The Company the Monte-Carlo simulation model to obtain the fair value of the convertible notes. Fair value of the financial liability outstanding as at the date of reporting is $23,100 (2019: $68,349)

The mark-to-market loss and interest expense for the year ended March 31, 2020 was $15,987 (2019: $21,398) and $5,517 (2019: $10,682) have been recognized within other gain/(losses) and net finance cost, respectively, net in the Statement of Income.

2.Secured by pledge of shares held in the Group’s majority owned subsidiary, Eros International Media Limited, India.

3.For the twelve months ended March 31, 2018 amounting $13,8402020 capitalization rate of interest was 11.00% (2019: 10.21%)
4.Borrowing agreements are subjected to covenant clause, whereby the Company is required to meet certain key financial ratios and $4,338 have been recognized within other gain/(losses) and net finance cost, respectively, netthose remaining unfulfilled resulted in disclosure of the outstanding balance with the aforesaid banking institution as a current liability as of March 31, 2020. Management is in the Statementprocess of Income.

The option to purchase warrants has expiredrenewal of the aforesaid borrowing arrangement with the bank/s and is expecting that a revised loan sanction letter will be in June 2018.

place in the coming quarter/s.

 

Fair value of the long-term borrowings as at March 31, 20182020 is $172,788 (2017: $155,923)$43,964 (2019: $140,968). Fair values of long-term financial liabilities except retail bonds and convertibles notes 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, 2018,2020, the fair value of retail bond amounting to $58,218 (2017: $43,416)$36,897 (2019: $59,313) has been determined using quoted prices from the London Stock Exchange and the fair value of senior convertible notes has been determined at $86,010$23,100 (2019: $68,349) by an independent valuation expert using Monte-Carlo simulation model. Carrying amount of short-term borrowings are considered a reasonable approximation of fair value.

 

The Company has placed time deposits

Reconciliation of $7,468 (2017: $7,316) which has been disclosed as restricted deposits.fair value measurement of convertible notes:

  March 3, 2020 
Particulars (in thousands) 
As at March 31,2019 $68,349 
Interest  5,517 
‘A’ ordinary shares issued in lieu of convertible notes  (91,753)
Receipt from convertible notes  25,000 
Loss on fair value of convertible notes  15,987 
 As at March 31, 2020 $23,100 

 

2423ACCEPTANCES

 

  As At March 31 
  2018  2017 
  (in thousands) 
Payable under the film financing arrangements $8,898  $8,935 
  $8,898  $8,935 
  As At March 31 
  2020  2019 
  (in thousands) 
Payable under the film financing arrangements $1,858  $8,366 
  $1,858  $8,366 

 

Acceptances comprise of short-term credit availed from financial institutions for payment to film producers for film co-production arrangement entered by the group. The carrying value of acceptances are considered a reasonable approximation of fair value.

 

2524OTHER LONG – TERM-TERM LIABILITIES

 

 As At March 31  As At March 31 
 2018  2017  2020  2019 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Deferred revenue $2,326  $4,654 
Contract liability (deferred revenue)(*) $7,793  $13,271 
Employee benefit obligation  747   695   465   627 
 $3,073  $5,349  $8,258  $13,898 

(*) includes significant discounting on long-term advances from customers $1,925 (2019: 458)

 

2625DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

 As At March 31  As At March 31 
 2018  2017  2020  2019 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Non-Current        
Current     
Derivative liabilities – Held for trading                
Interest rate cap $  $(12,553) $  $(620)
 $  $620 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The above interest rate derivative instruments are not designated in a hedging relationship. They are carried at fair value through profit or loss. (Refer Note 9).

26ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL

  Number of
Shares
  GBP 
Authorized      (in thousands) 
         
Ordinary shares of 30p each at March 31, 2019  150,000,000   45,000 
Ordinary shares of 30p each at March 31, 2020 (*)  200,000,000   60,000 

(*) The Group re-paid derivative instruments in December 2017.Company increased authorized number of shares to 200,000,000 on September 25, 2019.

  Number of Shares  USD 
Allotted, called up and fully paid A Ordinary 
30p Shares(*)
  B Ordinary 
30p Shares(*)
  (in thousands) 
As at March 31, 2018  55,718,423   9,712,715  $35,334 
Issue of shares in the quarter ended June 30, 2018  2,747,645      1,138 
Issue of shares in the quarter ended September 30, 2018  3,773,385      1,471 
Issue of shares in the quarter ended December 31, 2018  1,659,767      641 
Transfer of B Ordinary to A Ordinary share  1,500,000   (1,500,000)   
Issue of shares in the quarter ended March 31, 2019  1,892,518      742 
As at March 31, 2019  67,291,738   8,212,715  $39,326 
Issue of shares in the quarter ended June 30, 2019  4,192,459      1,598 
Issue of shares in the quarter ended September 30, 2019  25,956,283   7,044,210   12,276 
Issue of shares in the quarter ended December 31, 2019  16,250,661      6,747 
Issue of shares in the quarter ended March 31, 2020  13,425,561   4,642,160   6,780 
As at March 31, 2020  127,116,702   19,899,085   66,727 

(*) Each A ordinary shares is entitled to one vote on all matters and each B shares is entitled to ten votes.

The Company issued A and B Ordinary shares as follows:

  A Ordinary  B Ordinary 
  For the year ended  For the year ended 
  March
  31, 2020
  March 31,
2019
  March 31,
2020
  March 31,
2019
 
Issuance to Founders Group (1) (7)     1,769,911   4,878,050    
Issuance towards settlement of Convertible notes (2)  49,185,958   4,411,359       
Exercise against Restricted Share Unit/ Management scheme (3)  2,728,181   770,541   6,808,320    
Issuance towards Reliance Industries Limited (4)     3,111,088       
2015 Share Plan (5)  132,013   10,416       

Issuance to vendors (8)

  6,475,600          
Issuance towards equity infusion from funds (6)  1,303,212          
Total  59,824,964   10,073,315   11,686,370    

(1) Average price of A Ordinary Shares at NIL price (March 2019: $14.69)and B Ordinary Shares at $1.64 (March 2019:Nil)

(2) Average exercise price of A Ordinary Shares $1.87 (March 2019: $11.28)

(3) 2,728,181 A Ordinary shares (March 2019: 183,000) at NIL(March 2019: $0.39) and 6,808,320 B Ordinary shares (March 2019: Nil) exercised at NIL price March 2019: Nil)

(4) Average exercise price of A Ordinary Shares NIL (March 2019: $15)

(5) Average exercise price A Ordinary Shares $2 (March 2019: $7.92)

(6) Average exercise price A Ordinary Shares $3.22 (March 2019: Nil)

(7) Includes 4,176,830 B Ordinary shares issued against advance received ($6,150) as of March 31, 2019 and $700 received during the year and $1,150 payables settled by issuance of 701,220 B Ordinary shares

(8) Includes payables settled by issuance 100,000 A Ordinary shares issued to a consultant at an average exercised price at $2.23 (March 2019: NIL) and 6,375,600 A Ordinary Shares towards payables settlement at an average exercised price at $3.14 (March 2019: Nil)


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

27ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL

  Number of
Shares
 GBP
Authorized   (in thousands)
     
Ordinary shares of 30p each at March 31, 2017 83,333,333 25,000
Ordinary shares of 30p each at March 31, 2018 100,000,000 30,000

  Number of Shares USD 
Allotted, called up and fully paid A Ordinary 
30p Shares(*)
 B Ordinary 
30p Shares(*)
 (in thousands) 
As at March 31, 2016 32,949,314 24,960,654 $30,793 
Issue of shares in the quarter ended June 30, 2016 1,750   1 
Issue of shares in the quarter ended September 30, 2016 2,515,436   986 
Issue of shares in the quarter ended December 31, 2016 231,043   87 
Issue of shares in the quarter ended March 31, 2017 33,387   10 
Transfer of B Ordinary to A Ordinary share 5,581,272 (5,581,272)   
As at March 31, 2017 41,312,202 19,379,382 $31,877 
Issue of shares in the quarter ended June 30, 2017 12,000   5 
Issue of shares in the quarter ended September 30, 2017 288,291   114 
Issue of shares in the quarter ended December 31, 2017 1,681,520   657 
Transfer of B Ordinary to A Ordinary share 9,666,667 (9,666,667)   
Issue of shares in the quarter ended Mar 31, 2018 2,757,743    2,681 
         
As at March 31, 2018 55,718,423 9,712,715 $35,334 

(*)Each A ordinary shares is entitled to one vote on all matters and each B shares shares is entitled to ten votes.

On May 11, 2017, the Company entered into an exit agreement with an employee pursuant to which the Board approved a grant of 12,000 ‘A’ ordinary share awards with Nil exercise price and a fair market value of $10.8 per share. The Shares were issued in May 2017.

In May 2017, the Company entered into an exit agreement with an employee pursuant to which the Board approved a grant of 90,000 ‘A’ ordinary share awards with Nil exercise price and a fair market value of $10 per share. These shares were issued in July and August 2017.

Between the months of May to December, permitted Class B shares aggregating to 9,666,667 were converted into Class A shares. This was effected through the cancellation of 9,666,667 Class B shares and subsequent issuance of the equivalent amount of Class A shares.

In June 2015, 300,000 ‘A’ ordinary shares awards with a nominal price 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. Out of which, 200,000 shares were issued in September 2017.

On September 24, 2014, the Board approved a grant of 116,730 ‘A’ ordinary share awards to certain employees. These awards, granted to the employees on October 21, 2014 with Nil exercise price, subject to continued employment, vest annually in three equal tranches from the date of grant. Fair value of each award was $17.07. In October, November 2017 and January 2018, a total of 26,550 shares were issued by the Company.

On October 6, 2017, 25,000 ‘A’ ordinary shares were issued to a consultant with nominal exercise price and a fair value of $14.3 per share.

On October 24, 2017, 148,895 ‘A’ ordinary shares were issued to employee as a settlement compensation with Nil exercise price and a fair value of $12.2 per share.

In November 2017 and March 2018, a total of 10,208 ‘A’ ordinary shares were exercised by an employee.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On June 28, 2016, the Board of Directors approved a grant of 197,820 share awards to certain employees with a fair value of $14.68 per share. Subject to continued employment, these awards with Nil exercise price vest over a period of two and half years with first tranche vesting on November 11, 2016. In November 2017, December 2017 and January 2018, 54,846 shares were issued by the Company.

On November 22, 2017, the Board of Directors approved to offset loan and advances of Founder Group to the Company by approving the issuance of 1,421,520 ‘A’ ordinary shares with a fair value of $11.6 per share which were issued in November 2017 in accordance with the resolution.

On February 17, 2017, the Board of Directors approved, 50,000 ‘A’ ordinary share awards to an employee with a fair market value of $12.5 per share. Subject to continued employment, these awards with Nil exercise price, vest over a period of three years. In February 2018, 16,667 shares were vested and issued.

On November 22, 2017, 243,300 ‘A’ ordinary share awards to certain employees with Nil exercise price, subject to continued employment, first vest immediately and remaining two tranches vest annually from the date of grant. Fair value of each award was $13.25. In February 2018, 9,200 shares were vested and issued.

On June 28, 2016 620,000, ‘A’ ordinary share awards to certain executive directors with a fair value of $14.68 per share. Subject to continued employment these awards with Nil exercise price, vest over a period of three years. In March 2018, 100,000 shares were vested and issued to the executive directors.

Between January and March 2018, 2,624,668 ‘A’ ordinary shares were issued against repayment towards monthly instalment of convertible notes.

Between January and March 2018, the Company received share application money $18,000 from the Founder Group for the shares to be issued. Subsequently, on April 13, 2018, 1,225,323 shares were issued.

28SHARE BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

 

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

 

 Year ended March 31  Year ended March 31 
 2018  2017  2016  2020 2019 2018 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
IPO India Plan $1,572  $2,140  $1,736  $145  $1,198  $1,572 
JSOP Plan  615   3,622   2,696         615 
Option award scheme 2012  197   699   1,610         197 
2014 Share Plan  (22)  1,427   2,361      47   (22)
2015 Share Plan  100   328   932 
Other share option awards(*)  7,283   4,405   894 
Management scheme (staff share grant)  8,173   10,850   20,763 
2015 Share Plan(*)  1,976   3,059   100 
Other share option awards(**)  7,829   5,346   7,283 
Management scheme (staff share grant) (***)  12,318   11,911   8,173 
 $17,918  $23,471  $30,992  $22,268  $21,561  $17,918 

 

(*) includes 674,045 options granted towards Share Plan 2015 during twelve months ended March 31, 2020 at an exercise price of $2 per share and average grant date fair value of $0.82 per share. In February 2020, the exercise price of said options were modified to GBP 0.3, resulting in incremental fair value of $0.55 per share. In addition, includes 233,364 and 622,035 options granted in prior year/s and wherein the exercise price was modified to $2 per share and GBP 0.3 per share, respectively, resulting in incremental fair value of $0.55-0.63 per share and $1.18 per share, respectively.

(**) includes Restricted Share Unit (RSU) and Other share option plans. In respect of 4,899,280 units/options granted towards RSU during twelve months ended March 31, 2020, intrinsic value $ 1.94 per share approximates grant date fair value.Includes 873,000 options accelerated for immediate vesting as against original vesting period of 3 years, resulting in incremental at grant date fair value of $1.64 per share.

(***) includes 10,230,320 shares granted twelve months ended March 31, 2020 to management personnel at intrinsic value $1.94 per share approximates grant date fair value.

 

Joint Stock Ownership Plan (JSOP)

 

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’.

F-43 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 


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

 

 Year ended March 31  Year ended March 31 
 2018  2017  2016  2020  2019  2018 
Shares held at the beginning of the year  1,146,967   1,239,497   1,723,657   384,862   1,146,955   1,146,955 
Shares granted        380,000          
Shares exercised     (92,530)  (573,260)          
Shares forfeiture/lapsed        (290,900)  (384,862)  (762,093)   
Shares held at the end of the year  1,146,967   1,146,967   1,239,497      384,862   1,146,955 
Unallocated shares held by trust  106,701   106,701   92,530 
Unallocated shares held by trust(*)  1,253,656   868,794   106,701 
  1,253,668   1,253,668   1,332,027      1,253,656   1,253,656 

(*) During the year unallocated shares held by the trust were issued to the content vendor at $3.6 per share.

 

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 INR10INR 10175
IPO Plan – June 2006150 GBP 5.28
JSOP Plan$11.00 – 24.00
Option award scheme 2012$11.00
2014 Share Plan $14.97– 18.5016.25–$18.30
2015 Share Plan $7.40 – 33.122-33.12 & GBP 0.3
Other share option plans $18– $18.8816.00
Restricted Share Unit (RSU)RSU 

Nil-0.3 GBP

Management Share Award 

 

Employees covered under the stock option plans are granted an option to purchase shares of the Company at the respective exercise prices, subject to fulfilmentfulfillment 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.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The activity in these employee stock option plans is summarized below:

 

   Year ended March 31  Year ended March 31
   2018 2017 2016  2020 2019 2018
 Name of Plan Number
of
shares
 Weighted
average
exercise
price
 Number
of
shares
 Weighted
average
exercise
price
 Number
of
shares
 Weighted
average
exercise
price
 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 2,108,063 INR34.96 2,196,215 INR35.17 1,437,400 INR52 IPO India Plan 757,886 INR32.17 1,624,035 INR28.85 2,108,063 INR34.96
Granted   863,320  10 269,381  10 966,009  10         863,320  10.00
Exercised   (1,113,160)  32.19 (269,553)  10 (180,920)  39   (121,496)  10.00 (536,263)  10.00 (1,113,160)  32.19
Forfeited and lapsed   (234,188)  10 (87,980)  10 (26,274)  10   (156,775)  10.00 (329,886)  51.66 (234,188)  10.00
Outstanding at the end of the year   1,624,035  28.85 2,108,063  34.96 2,196,215  35.17   479,615  45.03 757,886  32.17 1,624,035  28.85
Exercisable at the end of the year   501,122 INR65.14 911,854 INR63.75 632,566 INR78.00   325,740 INR61.56 289,002 INR68.13 501,122 INR65.14
                             
Outstanding at the beginning of the year IPO Plan June 2006    62,438 GBP5.28 62,438 GBP5.28 JSOP Plan 384,862 $11.00 1,146,955 $16.22 1,146,955 $16.22
Granted                      
Exercised      (62,438)  5.28 —-             
Forfeited and lapsed      —-    —-     (384,862)  11.00 (762,093)  18.86   
Outstanding at the end of the year         62,438  5.28    $ 384,862 $11.00 1,146,955 $16.22
Exercisable at the end of the year       GBP 62,438 GBP5.28    $ 384,862 $11.00 728,736 $11.00
                             
Outstanding at the beginning of the year JSOP Plan 1,146,965 $14.98 1,239,495 $14.98 1,723,657 $11.60 Option award scheme 2012  $ 674,045 $11.00 674,045 $11.00
Granted         380,000  24.00           
Exercised     11 (92,530)  11 (573,262)  11.00           
Forfeited and lapsed         (290,900)  11.00      (674,045)  11.00   
Outstanding at the end of the year   1,146,965 $14.98 1,146,965 $14.98 1,239,495 $14.98         674,045  11.00
Exercisable at the end of the year   728,736 $11 728,736 $11 617,450 $11.00          449,363 $11.00
                             
Outstanding at the beginning of the year Option award scheme 2012 674,045 $11 674,045 $11 674,045 $11.00 2014 Share Plan 399,999 $17.79 399,999 $17.79 723,749  $18.06
Granted                      
Exercised                      
Forfeited and lapsed                    (323,750)  18.39
Outstanding at the end of the year   674,045  11 674,045  11 674,045  11.00   399,999  17.79 399,999  17.79 399,999  17.79
Exercisable at the end of the year   674,045 $11 449,363 $11 224,682 $11.00   399,999 $17.79 399,999 $17.79 289,583 $17.67
                                
Outstanding at the beginning of the year 2014 Share Plan 723,749 $18.06 773,749  $17.86 230,000  $16.27
Granted         600,000  18.40

Outstanding at the beginning of the year (i)

 2015 Share Plan 1,290,399 $14.68 211,250 $16.21 233,750 $16.23
Granted (ii)   674,045  0.38 1,305,399  14.86   
Exercised              (132,013)  2.00 (10,416)  7.92 (10,208 8.71
Forfeited and lapsed   (323,750)  18.39 (50,000)  14.97 (56,251)  17.13     (233,333)  16.18 (215,834)  18.23 (12,292 14.64
Outstanding at the end of the year   399,999  17.79 723,749  18.06 773,749  17.86   1,599,098  2.69 1,290,399  14.68 211,250  16.21
Exercisable at the end of the year   289,583 $17.67 288,333 $17.80 96,664 $15.99   1,549,098 $2.72 981,545 $14.66 181,354 $17.36
                             
Outstanding at the beginning of the year 2015 Share Plan 233,750 $16.23 282,500 $16.68 200,000  17.46 Other share option plans 500,000 $16.00 500,000 $18.88 500,000  18.88
Granted         105,000 $15.35           
Exercised   (10,208) 8.71 (8,750)  8.84              
Forfeited and lapsed   (12,292) 14.64 (40,000)  18.68 (22,500)  19.17   (500,000)   16.00      
Outstanding at the end of the year   211,250  16.21 233,750  16.23 282,500  16.68      500,000  16.00 500,000  18.88
Exercisable at the end of the year   181,354 $17.36 127,604 $17.46 72,708 $16.90    $ 400,000 $16.00 300,000 $18.88
                            
Outstanding at the beginning of the year Other share option plans 500,000 $18.88 1,000,000  18.44 500,000  18.88 RSU 505,945  837,590  182,725 
Granted         500,000  18.00
Granted (iii)  4,899,280  0.06 211,567  1,044,290 
Exercised             (2,088,181)   (450,541)   (366,491)  
Forfeited and lapsed      (500,000)  18     (37,447)   (92,672)   (22,934)  
Outstanding at the end of the year   500,000  18.88 500,000  18.88 1,000,000  18.44  3,279,597  0.1 505,944   837,590  
Exercisable at the end of the year   300,000 $18.88 200,000 $18.88 100,000 $18.88  311,740   34,416   119,150  
                         
Outstanding at the beginning of the year RSU 182,725   72,480   116,730   Management Scheme 2,593,333  1,513,333  1,130,000 
Granted  1,044,290   216,735     
Exercised  (366,491)  (95,990)  (36,950) 
Granted (iv)  10,230,320  1,400,000  700,000 
Exercised (v)  (7,448,320)  (320,000)   (316,667  
Forfeited and lapsed  (22,934)  (10,500)  (7,300)   (320,000)        
Outstanding at the end of the year  837,590   182,725   72,480    5,055,333  0.01 2,593,333   1,513,333  
Exercisable at the end of the year  119,150   12,445   1,960    890,000  0.03 516,667   173,333  
               
Outstanding at the beginning of the year Management Scheme 1,130,000   910,000   525,000  
Granted  700,000   670,000   910,000  
Exercised (316,667)  (450,000)  (525,000) 
Forfeited and lapsed          
Outstanding at the end of the year  1,513,333   1,130,000   910,000  
Exercisable at the end of the year  173,333   180,000   175,000  

 

(i) includes 233,364 and 622,035 options granted in prior year/s and wherein the exercise price was modified to $ 2 per share and GBP 0.3 per share, respectively

(ii) Options granted in during the year, wherein the exercise price was modified to GBP 0.3 per share

(iii) Out of above, 873,000 RSU were accelerated for immediate vesting as against original vesting period of 3 years.

(iv) Includes 6,808,320 B Ordinary shares granted on July 12, 2019 and February 28, 2020, respectively

(v) Includes issuance of 6,808,320 B Ordinary treasury shares


F-38 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The following table summarizes information about outstanding stock options:

 

 Year ended March 31 Year ended March 31 
 2018 2017 2016 2020  2019  2018 
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
 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 3.08  INR*35.0 4.10  INR*35.0 4.10 INR*35.0  6.30  INR*45.03   7.70  INR*32.17   8.11  INR*35.0 
IPO Plan June 2006  GBP**  GBP** 0.25 GBP**5.28
JSOP Plan 3.93 $16.19 4.93 $16.19 5.93 $14.98    $   3.05  $11.00   3.93  $16.19 
Option award scheme 2012 3.75 $11.00 4.83 $11.00 5.83 $11.00    $     $   3.75  $11.00 
2014 Share Plan 5.96 $17.79 7.11 $18.06 6.88 $17.86  1.25  $17.79   2.25  $17.79   5.96  $17.79 
2015 Share Plan 6.06 $16.21 6.08 $16.23 5.91 $16.68  5.00  $2.69   6.01  $14.68   6.06  $16.21 
Other share option plans 3.75 $18.88 4.75 $18.88 5.75 $18.44    $   1.87  $16.00   2.87  $18.88 
RSU  9.36  $   6.00  $   5.60  $ 
Management Scheme 5.56 $ 5.59 $ 6.00 $  8.94  $0.1   6.00  $   5.56  $ 
Restricted Stock Unit 5.60 $ 5.63 $ 6.00 $

 

 *INR – Indian Rupees

**GBP – Great Britain Pound

IPO India2015 Share Plan

 

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

 

Inputs
Expected volatility(1)(2)35% - 75%
Option life (Years)1.91 - 7.00
Dividend yield0%
Risk free rate6.51% - 8.50%
Range of fair value of the granted options at the grant date(3)INR 179 – 380
  Inputs 
Expected volatility(1)  108.2% 
Option life (Years)  2.6 
Dividend yield  0% 
Risk free rate  0.3 
Range of exercise price of the granted options at the grant date(2) $0.38 

 

(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)(2)Fair value of options granted under all other schemes is measured using a Black Scholes model.

 

Restricted Stock Unit (RSU) and Management Scheme plan

In respect of units/options granted towards RSU and Management Scheme, grant date fair value approximates intrinsic value.

2928JOINT STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN RESERVE (JSOP Reserve)

 

(in thousands)
Balance at April 1, 2016$(17,167)
Issue out of treasury shares1,182
Balance at April 1, 2017$(15,985)
Issue out of treasury shares
Balance at March 31, 2018$(15,985)
  (in thousands) 
Balance at April 1, 2018 $(15,985)
Issue out of treasury shares   
Balance at April 1, 2019 $(15,985)
Issue out of treasury shares  15,985 
Balance at March 31, 2020 $ 

 

The JSOP Reserve represents the cost of shares issued by Eros International Plc and held by the JSOP Trust to satisfy the requirements of the JSOP Plan (Refer Note 28)27).  On June 5, 2014, the Board approved discretionary vesting of 20% of the applicable JSOP shares. In the current year 106,701 (2017: 106,701)Nil (2019: 868,794) ‘A’ ordinary shares held by the JSOP Trust were eligible to be issued to employees.

 

The number of shares held by the JSOP Trust at March 31, 20182020 was 1,253,668Nil ‘A’ Ordinary shares (2017: 1,253,668(2019: 1,253,656 ‘A’ Ordinary shares).


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3029OTHER COMPONENTS OF EQUITY

 

 As at March 31
(in thousands)
  As at March 31
(in thousands)
 
 2018  2017  2016  2020 2019 2018 
Movement in Hedging reserve:            
Movement in hedging reserve:            
Opening balance $(375) $(1,179) $(1,983) $  $  $(375)
Reclassified to consolidated statements of income  375   804   804         375 
Closing balance $  $(375) $(1,179) $  $  $ 
                        
Movement in revaluation reserve:                        
Opening balance $1,829  $1,856  $1,528  $2,932  $1,835  $1,829 
Gain recognized on revaluation of property and equipment        328 
Net gain recognised on revaluation of property and equipment     1,019    
Impact of translation difference  6   (27)     (156)  78   6 
Closing balance $1,835  $1,829  $1,856  $2,776  $2,932  $1,835 
                        
Movement in available for sale fair value reserve:                        
Opening balance $6,238  $6,622  $6,622  $(18,449) $6,238  $6,238 
Impairment loss on available-for-sale financial assets     (384)     (1,860)  (24,687)   
Closing balance $6,238  $6,238  $6,622  $(20,309) $(18,449) $6,238 
                        
Movement in Foreign currency translation reserves                        
Opening balance $(55,810) $(60,609) $(50,048) $(64,179) $(56,722) $(55,810)
Adoption of IFRS 9 (net of tax)     (34)   
Other comprehensive loss due to translation of foreign operations (*)  (912)  4,799   (10,561)  (3,948)  (7,423)  (912)
Closing balance $(56,722) $(55,810) $(60,609) $(68,127) $(64,179) $(56,722)
                        
Total other components of equity $(48,649) $(48,118) $(53,310) $(85,660) $(79,696) $(48,649)

  

(*) includes movement in foreign currency translation reserves arising on account of deconsolidation $502 (2017:$Nil (2019: Nil, 2016: Nil)2018: $502) of financial asset.

 

3130SIGNIFICANT 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  As at March 31 
 2018  2017  2016  2020 2019 2018 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Unrealized foreign exchange loss / (gain) $5,466  $(3,838) $(2,864)
Credit impairment Loss, net  4,308       
Unrealised foreign exchange loss / (gain) $(4,458) $(3,329) $5,466 
Credit impairment loss, net  82,920   26,283   3,376 
Impairment charge on available-for-sale financial assets  2,436         1,253      2,436 
Net losses on de-recognition of financial assets measured at amortized cost, net  3,562         5,285   5,988   3,562 
Mark to market gain on derivative financial instrument measured at fair value through profit and loss    (10,297)  3,566      902    
Loss on settlement of derivative financial instruments  586               586 
Loss on financial liability (convertible notes) measures atfair value through profit and loss  13,840         15,987   21,398   13,840 
Loss on deconsolidation of a subsidiary  14,649               14,649 
Provisions for trade and other receivables  4,740   2,430   1,315         4,740 
Provision no longer required, written-back  (124)  (798)     (2,636)  (120)  (124)
Impairment loss on content advances and loans and advances  353   1,887   2,545 
Impairment charge on goodwill  1,205       
Impairment loss on advances content vendors     7,284   353 
Impairment loss        1,205 
Significant discounting on deferred revenue  1,501       
Others  30         266   32   30 
 $51,051  $(10,616) $4,562  $100,118  $58,438  $50,119 


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3231FINANCIAL 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 cash and cash equivalents, borrowings and equity attributable to equity holders of Eros, comprising issued capital, reserves and retained earnings as disclosed in Notes 21, 2322 and 2726 and the consolidated statement of changes in equity.

 

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

 

 As at March 31  As at March 31 
 2018  2017  2020  2019 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Debt (net of debt issuance cost of $1,210 (2017: $1,665)) $276,946  $269,870 
Cash and cash equivalents  87,762   112,267 
Debt (net of debt issuance cost of $399 (2019: $691)) $178,972  $280,828 
Cash and cash equivalents (*)  2,563   135,783 
Net debt  189,184   157,603   176,409   145,045 
Equity  1,003,417   883,548   308,486   656,985 
Net debt to equity ratio  18.9%   17.8%   57.2%   22.1% 

(*) includes $Nil (2019: $46,666) of restricted deposits.

 

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

 

 2018  2017  2020  2019 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Financial assets                
Available-for-sale investments $27,257  $29,613  $3,942  $3,692 
Other financial assets(1)  340,994   362,286   116,281   351,477 
 $368,251  $391,899  $120,223  $355,169 
Financial liabilities at amortized cost                
Trade payables and acceptances excluding value added tax and other tax payables $70,927  $114,475  $79,630  $81,208 
Borrowings  190,936   269,870 
Borrowings excluding Senior Convertible Notes  155,872   212,479 
Financial Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss                
Derivatives at fair value through profit or loss - held for trading     12,553      620 
Senior convertible Notes at fair value through profit or loss  86,010      23,100   68,349 
 $347,873  $396,898  $258,602  $362,656 

  

(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.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Financial risk management objectives

 

Based on the operations of the Group throughout the world, Managementthe 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

 

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. Further, in many of the catalogue sales, the trading partners have extended payment terms of up to a year and often fall behind contractual payment terms, thus payment cycle extends to 18 to 24 months. With respect to catalogue and other customers with a long trading history with the Group and who have contracted and paid significant amounts in the past without any prior history of bad debt, the Group closely monitors the same revised payment plans to assure collections. In case of new customer onboarding, the Group follows certain standard Know Your Client (KYC) procedures to ascertain financial stability of the counterparty and follows internal policies to not make ongoing sales to such new customers who are not reasonably current with their payments.

 

The Group from time to time will have significant concentration of credit risk in relation to individual theatrical releases, television syndication deals, music licenses, or music licenses.producer/ VFX services. This risk is mitigated by contractual terms which seek to stagger receipts, de-recognition of financial assets and/or the release or airing of content. As at March 31, 2018, 20.5% (2017: 25.1%2020, 40.1% (2019: 20.4%) of trade account receivables were represented by the top five debtors and for the year ended March 31, 2018,2020, a loss on de-recognition of financial assets amounting to $3,562 (2017: Nil$5,285 (2019: 5,988 and 2016: Nil)2018: 3,562) arising on assignment and novation of trade receivable and trade payables with no recourse have been recognized in the statement of Income within other gains/(losses), net. The maximum exposure to credit risk is that shown within the statements of financial position, net of credit impairment loss $10,193 (2017:$112,323 (2019: $ Nil)41,335, 2018: $ 10,193). The maximum credit exposure on financial guarantees given by the Group for various financial facilities is described in Note 33.32.

 

As at March 31, 2018,2020, 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.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

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 reporting date there were no outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts. InFurther, in fiscal 2018,2020, the Company did not hedge foreign exchange exposure was managed through crosstowards foreign currency swap on $11,474 borrowings.borrowings. 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:

F-49 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

    Net Balance
  USD GBP Other
    (in thousands)
As at March 31, 2018 (4,350) (56,080) 1,081
As at March 31, 2017 4,025 (39,460) (2,320)

    Net Balance
  USD GBP Other
    (in thousands)
As at March 31, 2020 (3,895) (65,446) (182)
As at March 31, 2019 (6,117) (61,927) (2,317)

 

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, 20182020 would have decreased inincreased the Company’s net incomeloss before tax by approximately $5,935 (2017: loss of $3,775 and 2016:$6,952 (2019: gain of $3,947)$7,036 and 2018: gain of $5,935). 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, 20182020 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.

 

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 23.22. Set out below is a maturity analysis for non-derivative and derivative financial liabilities. The amounts disclosed are based on contractual undiscounted cash flows. The table includes both interest and principal cash flows. To the extent that interest flows are floating rate, the undiscounted amount is derived from interest rates as at March 31, in each year.

 

 Total  Less than
1 year
  1-3
years
  3-5
years
  More than
5 years
  Total Less than
1 year
 1-3
years
 3-5
years
 More than
5 years
 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
As at March 31, 2018                    
As at March 31, 2020                    
Borrowing principal payments(1) $278,156  $152,330  $50,650  $75,176  $  $179,371  $117,097  $62,274  $  $ 
Borrowing interest payments  48,750   26,024   15,319   7,407      23,741   17,500   6,241       
Derivative financial instruments               
                    
Acceptances  8,898   8,898            1,858   1,858          
Trade and other payables  72,142   72,142            90,941   90,941          
Minimum lease payments  1,716   822   894       

 

 Total  Less than
1 year
  1-3
years
  3-5
years
  More than
5 years
  Total Less than
1 year
 1-3
years
 3-5
years
 More than
5 years
 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
As at March 31, 2017                    
As at March 31, 2019                    
Borrowing principal payments(1) $271,535  $180,722  $18,079  $71,881  $853  $281,519  $209,180  $72,339  $  $ 
Borrowing interest payments  40,987   22,019   12,046   6,922      29,016   21,820   7,196       
Derivative financial instruments  12,553         12,533      620   620          
Acceptances  8,935   8,935            8,366   8,366          
Trade and other payables  120,082   120,082            83,487   83,487          
Minimum lease payments  2,956   1,480   1,360   116    

 

(1)   Excludes cumulative effect of unamortized costs.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

At March 31, 2018,2020, the Group had facilities available of $287,684 (2017: $282,685)$181,340 (2019: $290,353) and had net undrawn amounts of $630 (2017: $2,215)$111 (2019: $468) available.

 

In addition, the Group has issued financial guarantees amounting to $1,171 (2017: $2,192)$33 (2019: $51) 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.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Interest rate risk

 

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

 

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

 

 As at March 31  As at March 31 
 2018  %  2017  %  2020 % 2019 % 
 (in thousands, except percentages)  (in thousands, except percentages) 
Currency                         
U.S. Dollar $107,236   38.6%  $115,424   42.5%  $49,182   27.4%  $148,201   52.6% 
Great British Pounds Sterling  70,055   25.2%   62,672   23.1%  62,274  34.7% 65,215  23.2% 
Indian Rupees  100,865   36.2%   93,439   34.4%   67,915   37.9%  68,103   24.2% 
Total $278,156   100.0%  $271,535   100.0%  $179,371   100.0% $281,519   100.0% 
                         
Maturity                         
Due before one year $152,330   54.8%  $180,722   66.6%  $117,097  64.3% $209,180  74.3% 
Due between one and three years  50,650   18.2%   18,079   6.7%  62,274  34.7% 72,339  25.7% 
Due between four and five years  75,176   27.0%   71,881   26.5%        
Due after five years        853   0.2%            
 $278,156   100.0%  $271,535   100.0%  $179,371   100.0% $281,519   100.0% 
Nature of rates                         
Fixed interest rate $177,742   63.9%  $131,279   48.3%  $96,904  54.0% $205,156  72.9% 
Floating rate  100,414   36.1%   140,256   51.7%   82,467   46.0%  76,363   27.1% 
Total $278,156   100.0%  $271,535   100.0%  $179,371   100.0% $281,519   100.0% 

 

In 2018 fiscal 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 were closed.

At 1% increase in underlying bank rates would lead to decreaseincrease in the Company’s net incomeloss before tax by $851$ 895 for the year ended March 31, 2018 (2017: $2,461)2020 (2019: $1,029) 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,and credit ratings, 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.

 

F-44 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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.

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, 2018  As at March 31, 2020
  (in thousands)  (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
 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 282  282   
Trade and other receivables 94,749  94,749
Investments at FVTPL 3,802  3,802
Investments at FVTOCI 140  140
Total 282  282 98,691  98,691
 
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   
Total   

 

 As at March 31, 2017 
  (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 179 (179) 
Total 179 (179) 
 
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
 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 (12,732) 179 (12,553)   
Long-term borrowings at fair value 23,100  23,100
Total (12,732) 179 (12,553) 23,100  23,100

 

Financial assets and liabilities subject to offsetting enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements as at March 31, 2018 are as follows:

  As at March 31, 2019
  (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   
Trade and other receivables 125,229  125,229
Investments at FVTPL 1,042  1,042
Investments at FVTOCI 2,650  2,650
Total 128,921  128,921

 

  As at March 31,2018
  (in thousands)
  Average
contract rate
 Notional
principal
amount
 Fair value of
derivative
instrument
2018
  Fair value of
derivative
instrument
2017
 
Cross currency swap 4.8% 11,474  282    
2012 Interest Rate Cap 6% 100,000     (179)
2012 Interest Rate Floor 0.5% - 3% 100,000     6,366 
2012 Interest Rate Floor 0.5% - 3% 100,000     6,366 
Total     $282  $12,553 
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 620  620
Long-term borrowings at fair value 68,349  68,349
Total 68,969  68,969

 

None of the above derivative instruments is designated in a hedging relationship. A net loss of $304 (gainNil (loss in 2017: Nil)2019: $902) in respect of the above derivative instruments has been recognized in the consolidated statements of income within other gain/(loss), net. Fair value of interest rate derivative involving interest rate options and cross currency swap is estimated as the present value of the estimated future cash flows based on observable yield curves using an option pricing model.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements of financial assets

  Available
for sale of
financial assets
 
  (in thousands) 
As at March 31, 2016 $30,147 
Total gain or (losses):    
-other comprehensive income  (384)
Additions  80 
Disposals(*)  (230)
As at March 31, 2017 $29,613 
Additions  80 
Total gain or (losses):    
-profit and loss:  (2,436)
As at March 31, 2018 $27,257 

(*)On June 3, 2016, the Company sold its investment in The Cultural Trip (“TCT”) for $288 recording a gain of $58. The Company had made investment in TCT in July 2015 at transaction price of $230.

 

Management uses valuation techniques in measuring the fair value of financial instruments, where active market quotes are not available. In applying the valuation techniques, management makes maximum use of market inputs, and uses estimates and assumptions that are, as far as possible, consistent with observable data that market participants would use in pricing the instrument. Where applicable data is not observable, management uses its best estimate about the assumptions that market participants would make. These estimates may vary from the actual prices that would be achieved in an arm’s length transaction at the reporting date.

 

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


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3332CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

 

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

 

  Total 
  (in thousands) 
As at March 31, 2018 $336,144 
     
As at March 31, 2017 $250,997 
  Total 
  (in thousands) 
As at March 31, 2020 $450,469 
     
As at March 31, 2019 $301,660 

 

The Group has provided certain stand-by letters of credit amounting to $53,904 (2017: $80,570)$Nil (2019: $53,565) 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 $1,171 (2017: $2,192)$33 (2019: $51) 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.

F-46 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3433CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

 

1.In Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2016 Eros has received several show causes notices and assessment order from the Commissioner of Service Tax (India)Authorities in India levying anamounts to be paid on account of several grounds of non-compliance with the Service Tax Laws. An amount aggregating to $61,000 (including$56,064 (net of monies paid under protest $1,790 and including interest and penalty of $30,000)penalty) for the period April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2015periods under dispute on account of service tax arising on temporary transfer of copyright services and certain other related matters. The Companymatters have been considered contingent. Eros has filed an appeal against the said order before the authorities. Considering the facts and nature of levies and the ad-interim protection for service tax levy for a certain period granted by the HonourableHonorable High Court of Mumbai, the Group expects that the final outcome of this matter will be favorable. There is no further update on this mattermatters as preliminary hearing is yet to begin. Accordingly, based on the assessment made after taking appropriate legal advice, no additional liability has been recorded in Group’s consolidated financial statements.

 

2.In Fiscal 2015, Eros has received several assessment orders and demand notices from value added tax and sales tax authorities in IndiaIndia. Several revised orders have been received during the year. Eros has considered an amount equal to $2,631 (net of monies paid under protest $137 and including interest and penalty) for the payment of amounts aggregating to $3,000 (including interest and penalties) for certain fiscal years between April 1, 2005 and March 31, 2011.periods under dispute as contingent. Eros has appealed against each of thesethe orders outstanding, and such appeals are pending before relevant tax authorities. Though, there uncertainties are inherent in the final outcome of these matters, the CompanyGroup believes, based on assessment made after taking legal advice, that the final outcome of the matters will be favourable.favorable. Accordingly, no additional liability has been recorded in Group’s consolidated financial statements.

 

3.

BeginningEros has received several assessment orders and demand notices from Income Tax Authorities in India. The orders are 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 Yorkaccount of disallowance of certain expenditures claimed by purported shareholders of the Company. The three actions in New Jersey were consolidated, and, on May 17, 2016, were transferredEros has considered an amount equal to the United States District Court$ 139 for the Southern District of New York where theyperiod under dispute as contingent. Eros has contested the said cases and believes that there will not be any significant liability on the Group as the misstatements were then consolidated with the other two actions on May 27, 2016. In general, the plaintiffs allege that the Company,bonafide and in some cases also Company’s management, violated federal securities laws by overstating Company’s financialwithout any wrongful intentions 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 appointeddo not invite penalty. However, uncertainties are inherent in the now consolidated New York action. A single consolidated complaint was filed on July 14, 2016 and amended on October 10, 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)final outcome of the Exchange Act. The amended consolidated complaint has narrowed in scope significantly and does not assert certain claims that had been asserted in prior complaints, including (i) claims arising under Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, (ii) accounting and GAAP allegations, and (iii) claims against certain individual defendants, who are not now named defendants. The remaining claims are primarily focused on whether the Company and individual defendants made material misrepresentations concerning the Company’s film library and materially misstated the usage and functionality of Eros Now. The Company’s most recent motion to dismiss the amended consolidated complaint was filed on November 11, 2016 and its reply brief was filed on January 6, 2017. The Court has not scheduled oral argument or indicated when it will rule on this motion. Given the uncertainty inherent in these matters based on assessment madeand hence, after taking appropriate legal advice, Group has considered the Company does not believe that the ultimate outcome of this matter will be unfavourable. Accordingly, no 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 Group’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.amount as contingent liability.

There were no other material ongoing litigations at March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

354.On September 29, 2017, the Company filed a lawsuit against Mangrove Partners, Manuel P. Asensio, GeoInvesting, LLC, and other individuals and entities alleging the defendants and other co-conspirators disseminated material false, misleading, and defamatory information about the Company and are engaging in other misconduct that has harmed the Company. On May 31, 2018, the Company filed an amended complaint that added two new defendants and expanded the scope of the Company’s initial allegations. The amended complaint alleges that Mangrove Partners and many of its co-conspirators held substantial short positions in the Company’s stock and profited when its share price declined in response to their multi-year disinformation campaign. The Company seeks damages and injunctive relief for defamation, civil conspiracy, and tortious interference, including but not limited to interference with its customers, producers, distributors, investors, and lenders. On March 12, 2019, the Supreme Court of the State of New York entered a Decision and Order granting defendants’ motions to dismiss. On March 13, 2019, the Company filed a Notice of Appeal against the said order.

5.Beginning on June 21, 2019, the Company was named a defendant in three substantially similar putative class action lawsuits filed in federal court in California and New Jersey by purported shareholders of the Company. The lawsuits allege that the Company and certain individual defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by making false and/or misleading statements regarding the Company’s accounting for trade receivables. On September 27, 2019, the putative class action filed in California was transferred to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. On April 14, 2020, the three putative class actions were consolidated and a lead plaintiff was appointed. On July 1, 2020, the court-appointed lead plaintiff filed a consolidated complaint. The Company expects to file a motion to dismiss, which is due August 28, 2020.

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 Group’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, 2020 and March 31, 2019.

34RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

   As at
March 31,2018
  As at
March 31,2017
    As at
March 31,2020
 As at
March 31,2019
 
 Details of (in thousands)  Details of (in thousands) 
 Transaction Liability  Asset  Liability  Asset  Transaction Liability Asset Liability Asset 
Red Bridge Group Limited President fees $464  $  $210  $0  President fees $648  $  $648  $ 
550 County Avenue Rent/Deposit  482   135   420   135  Rent/Deposit  156      499   135 
Line Cross Limited Rent/Deposit  876   258   356   258 
NextGen Films Private Limited Purchase/Sale     38,862      34,843 
NextGen Films Private Limited (*) Purchase/Sale           41,470 
Everest Entertainment LLP Purchase/Sale  65      17   115  Purchase/Sale  557      574    
Beech Investments Limited Advance  592      500    
Lulla Family Rent/Deposit  244   947   123   1,003  Rent/Deposit  487   356   243   841 
Lulla Family Salary  2,468      1,210     Salary  4,155      3,279    
Eros Television India Private Limited Borrowing        6,417    
Lulla Family Advance        6,150    
Lulla Family Advance  500      500    
Xfinite Global Plc Sale  3,812      6,500    

 

The Lulla family refers to late Mr. Arjan Lulla, Mr. Kishore Lulla, Mr. Sunil Lulla, Mrs. Manjula Lulla, Mrs. Krishika Lulla, Mrs. Rishika Lulla Singh, and Ms. Riddhima Lulla.

Lulla and Mr. Swaneet Singh.

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expired on March 31, 2018,2020, the lease requires Eros International Media Limited to pay $5$4 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, 20182020 for a further period of one year on the same terms.

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expiredexpires on September 30, 2015,2021, the lease requires Eros International Media Limited to pay $5$4 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.

F-54 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expiresexpired 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 $61$82 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. The lease commenced on April 1,2015, and required the Group to pay $11 each month. The lease was renewed on April 1, 2015January 5, 2020 for a further period of five years on the same terms. This is a non-cancellable lease.

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expired 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 lease commenced on November 19, 2009 and requires the Group to pay $109 each quarter. The lease was not renewed after it expired in March 2018.

Pursuant to an agreement the Group entered into with Redbridge Group Limited on June 27, 2006, the Group agreed to pay an annual fee set each year of $270, $260$Nil, $186 and $300$270 in the respective years ended March 31, 2018, 20172020, 2019 and 2016,2018, for the services of Arjan Lulla, the father of Kishore Lulla and Sunil Lulla, grandfather of Mrs. Rishika Lulla Singh, uncle of Vijay Ahuja and Surender Sadhwani and an employee of Redbridge Group Limited. 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. Arjan Lulla passed away in December 2018 Redbridge Group Limited 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 Private Limited, an entity owned by the husband of Puja Rajani, sister of Kishore Lulla and Sunil Lulla, which with effect from September 19, 2019 ceased to be a related party, each of which involved the purchase and sale of film rights. In the yearperiod ended March 31, 2018,September 19, 2019, NextGen Films Private Limited sold film rights $7,760 (2017: $616, 2016: $2,728)$ 393 (2019: $1,109, 2018: $$7,760) to the Group, and purchased film rights, including production services, of Nil (2017:(2019: Nil and 2016:2018: $Nil). The Group advanced $19,025 (2017: $22,881, 2016: $5,400)$2,113 (2019: $6,192, 2018: $19,025) to NextGen Films Private Limited for film co-production and received refund of $6,114 (2017: $5,075, 2016: $6,945)$Nil (2019: $Nil, 2018: $6,114) on abandonment of certain film projects.

With effect from September 19, 2019, NextGen Films Private Limited ceased to be a related party having a balance of $47,742 towards film content advances.

The Group also engaged in transactions with Everest Entertainment LLP 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, 2018,2020, Everest Entertainment LLP sold film rights of 166 (2017: Nil, 2016: Nil)$18 (2019: 1,260, 2018: 166) to the Group.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In fiscal 2017, the Group obtained unsecured short-term borrowingsand purchased film rights of $6,417 from Eros Television India Private Limited at 12% per annum.

$ Nil (2019: $ 314).

Mrs. Manjula Lulla, the wife of Kishore Lulla, is an employee of Eros International Plc. and is entitled to a salary of $139$147 per annum (2017: $130(2019: $144 and 2016: $154)2018: $139). Mrs. Krishika Lulla, the wife of Sunil Lulla, is an employee of EIML and is entitled to a salary of $133$121 per annum (2017: $133, 2016: $138)(2019: $123, 2018: $133). Ms. Riddhima Lulla, the daughter of Kishore Lulla, wasis an employee of Eros Digital FZ LLC and is entitled to a salary of Nil$300 per annum (2017: $51, 2016: $38 and(2019: $213, 2018: $90) which is an employee ofborne by Eros World Wide FZ LLC is entitled to a salary of $90 per annum.

Worldwide LLC.

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

As at March 31, 2018,2020, the Group has provided performance guarantee to a bank amounting to $Nil (2019: $8,000, (2017: $19,500)2018: $8,000) in connection with funding commitments. under film co-production agreements with NextGen Films Private Limited 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

(*) With effect from September 19, 2019, NextGen Films Private Limited ceased to be a related party.

License Arrangement with Xfinite Global Plc

The Group has engaged in transactions with Xfinite Global Plc, a subsidiary of Eros Investment Limited on these guaranteeswhich it has significant influence. The Group has accounted $12,776 (2019: $1,413, 2018: $ Nil) as it expects that most of these will expire unused.revenue during the year ended March 31, 2020.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3635MAJOR 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 Private Limited June 2006 India 100.00 
Eros International Limited June 2006 U.K. 100.00 
Eros International Media Limited June 2006 India 60.1362.31 
Eros International USA Inc June 2006 U.S. 100.00
Eros Music Publishing LimitedJune 2006U.K. 100.00 
Eros Network Limited June 2006 U.K. 100.00
Eros Pacific LimitedJune 2006Fiji 100.00 
Eros Worldwide FZ-LLC June 2006 UAE 100.00 
Big Screen Entertainment Private Limited January 2007 India 64.00 
EyeQube Studios Private Limited January 2008 India 99.99 
Acacia Investments Holdings Limited April 2008 IOM 100.00
Belvedere Holdings Pte LimitedMarch 2010Singapore 100.00 
Eros International Pte Limited August 2010 Singapore 100.00 
Digicine Pte. Limited March 2012 Singapore 100.00 
Colour Yellow Productions Private Limited May 2014 India 50.00 
Eros Digital FZ LLC September 2015 UAE 100.00 
Eros Digital Limited July 2016 IOM 100.00 
Eros Films Limited November 2016 IOM 100.00 
Universal Power Systems Private Limited August 2015 India100.00
England Merger 1, CorpMarch 2020U.S.100.00
England Holdings 2,IncMarch 2020U.S.100.00
England Holdings 3,IncMarch 2020U.S. 100.00 

 

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.

 

In fiscal year 2018,2020, Group shareholding of Eros International Media Ltd reduceddecreased to 60.13% (2017: 73.33%62.31% (2019: 62.39%) The change isin shareholding was due to exercise of 1.17%0.08% ESOP by the employees and sale of 12.03% shares in open market.employees.

 

In fiscal year 2018,2020, the Group has pledged 21.26%38.40% of its holding in Eros International Media Limited as security for certain of the Group’s borrowings (See Note 23)22).

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.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3736NON-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 3635 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 and its subsidiaries whose principal place of business is in India.

 

The table below shows the summarized financial information of Eros International Media Limited and its subsidiaries (EIML) whereasas at March 31, 2018,2020, non-controlling interests held an economic interest by virtue of shareholding of 39.87%37.69% (March 2017: 26.67%2019: 37.61%). The change in shareholding was due to exercise of 1.17%0.08% (March 2019: 0.11%) ESOP by the employees and sale of 12.03% shares in open market (Refer Note 4).employees. The summarized financial information represents amounts before inter-company eliminations.

F-56 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Year ended March 31 
  (in thousands) 
 EIML 2018  2017 
Current assets $152,997  $143,037 
Non-current assets  418,118   428,429 
Current liabilities  (162,898)  (192,807)
Non-current liabilities  (65,582)  (75,010)
Total net assets attributable $342,635  $303,649 
Equity attributable to owners of the Group $204,907  $224,558 
Equity attributable to non-controlling interests $137,728  $79,091 
         
Revenue $151,887  $210,776 
Expenses  (118,858)  (176,373)
Profit for the year $33,029  $34,403 
Profit attributable to the owners of the Group $20,199  $26,753 
Profit attributable to non-controlling interests $12,830  $7,650 
         
Other comprehensive (loss)/income during the year $(612) $5,277 
Total comprehensive income during the year $32,417  $39,680 
Total comprehensive income attributable to the owners of the Group  19,828   30,211 
Total comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests  12,589   9,469 
         
Net cash inflow from operating activities $49,096  $10,686 
Net cash outflow from investing activities  (55,755)  (78,121)
Net cash inflow from financing activities  6,707   42,409 
Net cash (outflow)/inflow $48  $(25,026)

  Year ended March 31 
  (in thousands) 
EIML 2020  2019 
Current assets $170,724  $183,944 
Non-current assets  152,059   385,463 
Current liabilities  (147,004)  (158,182)
Non-current liabilities  (21,285)  (53,210)
Total net assets attributable $154,494  $358,015 
Equity attributable to owners of the Group $95,127  $222,486 
Equity attributable to non-controlling interests $59,367  $135,529 
         
Revenue $119,821  $149,969 
Expenses (including impairment of $ 208,931)  (313,660)  (114,709)
Profit for the year $(193,839) $35,260 
Profit attributable to the owners of the Group $(121,127) $21,846 
Profit attributable to non-controlling interests $(72,712) $13,414 
         
Other comprehensive (loss)/income during the year $(9,861) $(12,500)
Total comprehensive income during the year $(203,700) $22,760 
Total comprehensive income attributable to the owners of the Group  (127,093)  15,354 
Total comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests  (76,607)  7,406 
         
Net cash inflow from operating activities $7,654  $50,470 
Net cash outflow from investing activities  (13,635)  (37,729 
Net cash inflow from financing activities  (12,901)  (14,462)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow $(18,882) $36,008 

  

No dividends were paid to non-controlling interests during the year ended March 31, 2018. (2017:2020. (2019: Nil).

F-50 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3837SIGNIFICANT 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:

 

38.1.37.1.Goodwill and trade nameBasis 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.

37.2.Impairment of non- current assets

The Group tests annually whether goodwill and trade nameits non- current assets 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 and value in use includes estimated volume growth, long-term 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.impairment, if any. The Group also compared the value in use determined above to the stock price on the balance sheet date plus a control premium for broadcasting sector based on 5 years historical period to validate the amount of impairment recorded in the consolidated financial statements.

F-57 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

38.2.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.

38.3.37.3.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.

 

38.4.Allowances for doubtful accounts

The Group extends credit to customers and other parties in the normal course of business and maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability or unwillingness of customers to make required payments. The Group bases such estimates on historical experience, existing economic conditions, and any specific customer collection issues the Group has identified. Uncollectible accounts receivables are written off when a settlement is reached for an amount less than the outstanding balance or when the Group determines that the balance will not be collected. The allowance for doubtful accounts/bad debt for the year ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, was $4,740 and $2,430 respectively.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

38.5.37.4.Credit impairment losses

 

In case of catalogue sales,and producer/ VFX services , the Group provides contractual deferred payment terms up to a year to the trading partners. Further, in several instances the catalogue customers fall behind contractual payment terms. The Group estimates credit impairment losses based on historical experience of collection from catalogue customers multiplied by the incremental borrowing rate applicable to the group of similar class of customer. The credit impairment losses, netcustomer by geography. Incremental borrowing rate has been calculated considering applicable class of unwinding thereof, recognizedcorporate bond in the Statement of IncomeUnited States specific to such customers and further adjusted the same for the year ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 was $10,193 and Nil, respectively.relevant Country Risk Premium as such amount is invested in US dollar in those countries.

 

38.6.37.5.Valuation of available-for-sale financial assetsInvestment in equity shares (Financial Assets) at FVOCI

 

The Group follows the guidance of IAS 39IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement to determine where possible, the fair value of its available-for-saleinvestment in equity instruments, which have been measured using net assets value method based on financial assets. This determination, including identificationinformation of objective evidence of impairment, 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.company. The aforesaid financial information is available with the lag of 2 years. Further a discount for lack of liquidity of 30% is applied which reflects ease of investors ability to liquidate.

 

38.7.37.6.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 judgment is involved in determining the provision for income taxes including judgment 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 the 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.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

38.8.37.7.Share-based payments

 

The Group is required to evaluate the terms to determine whether share basedshare-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 28.27. 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.

 

38.9.37.8.Business combinations and deconsolidation

 

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method under the provisions of IFRS 3 (Revised), “Business Combinations”.

 

The cost of an acquisition is measured at the fair value of the assets transferred, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred at the date of acquisition. The cost of the acquisition also includes the fair value of any contingent consideration. Identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair value on the date of acquisition. Significant estimates are required to be made in determining the value of contingent consideration and intangible assets.

 

During fiscal 2018, the Group divested its 51 percent equity interest in Ayngaran Group to the non-controlling investee. The Group recorded the financial asset retained in the former subsidiary on deconsolidation at its fair value and recorded a loss of $0.5 million.$500. The discounting of the financial asset was determined using associated credit risk for similar instrument.

 

38.10.37.9 .Financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss

 

The Group has classified the convertible note as a financial liability at fair value through profit or loss and used the valuation models i.e. Black and Scholes and Monte-Carlo simulations to obtain the fair value of share warrant and convertible notes. Key assumptions on which external valuation experts has based their determination of fair value includes risk free rate, weighted average cost of capital, future volatility, proportion of debt to be converted into equity shares. These estimates, includes the methodology used, can have a material impact on the respective values and ultimately the amount of financial liability.

37.10 .Leases

IFRS 16 requires Company to make certain judgements and estimations, and those that are significant are disclosed below:

·establishing whether or not it is reasonably certain that an extension option/termination option will be exercised - In determining the lease term, management considers all facts and circumstances that create an economic incentive to exercise an extension option,or not exercise a termination option. Extension options (or periods after termination options) are only included in the lease term if the lease is reasonably certain to be extended (or not terminated). The following factors are normally the most relevant
oIf there are significant penalties to terminate (or not extend), the Company is typically reasonably certain to extend (or not terminate).
oIf any leasehold improvements are expected to have a significant remaining value, the Company is typically reasonably certain to extend (or not terminate).
oOtherwise, the Company considers other factors including historical lease durations and the costs and business disruption required to replace the leased asset.
·calculating the appropriate discount rate – Incremental borrowing rate is considered for discounting the future lease payments, in cases where a rate is not implicit in the lease. For such assessment, the Company considers the market risk free interest rates, currency and credit risk premium.

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3938ADOPTION OF NEW AND REVISED STANDARDS ADOPTED AS AT APRIL 1, 2019

Adoption of IFRS 16, "Leases"

On April 1, 2019, the Group adopted New accounting standard IFRS 16, "Leases". which specifies how to recognize, measure, present and disclose leases. The standard provides a single accounting model, requiring the recognition of assets and liabilities for all major leases previously classified as “operating leases”.

The Group applied the “Modified Retrospective Approach” on the date of initial application (April 1, 2019) and has decided to use the approach that allows the right-of-use asset to be recognized at an amount equal to the liability as at the date of initial application and hence, no adjustments to retained earnings were required. Accordingly, comparatives for the year ended March 31, 2019 have not been retrospectively adjusted.

As such the Company recognizes a lease liability and a corresponding right of use asset, at the lease commencement date. The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, based on the initial amount of the lease liability and adjusted for prepaid expense or accrued liability outstanding at the end of previous year. The assets are depreciated to the earlier of the end of the useful life of the right-of-use asset or the lease term using the straight-line method as this most closely reflects the expected pattern of consumption of the future economic benefits. The lease term includes periods covered by an option to extend if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise that option. In addition, the right-of-use asset is periodically adjusted for certain re-measurements of the lease liability. There is no impact on transition in opening balance of retained earnings as at April 1, 2019 because of the transition method applied.

Right of Use Assets

Gross Carrying Value Premises  Equipment  Total 
On adoption of IFRS 16* $2,531   307   2,838 
Additions  398   71   469 
Termination/retirements         
Balance as at March 31, 2020 $2,929   378   3,307 
Accumulated depreciation            
Balance as at April 1, 2019     62   62 
Depreciation  1,557   120   1,677 
Disposals/retirements         
Net Translation adjustments  36   20   56 
Balance as at March 31, 2020  1,593   202   1,795 
Net Carrying value as at March 31, 2020 $1,336   176   1,512 

Premises are under operating lease arrangement and Equipment are acquired under finance lease arrangement.

Lease Liabilities

ParticularsTotal
On adoption of IFRS 16*$2,618
Additions 469
Finance Expense 184
Payment of lease liabilities$(1,579)
Premature Retirements 
Translation adjustments (139)
Balance as at March 31, 2020$1,553

*The difference in the number accounted on adoption of IFRS 16 is due to Prepaid expenses outstanding last year reduced from Other Receivables amounting to $ 164.

The Weighted average incremental borrowing rate applied to lease liabilities as at April 1, 2019 is 12% for India location and 7.45% for UAE location.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Future minimum lease payments

Future minimum lease payments due as of March 31, 2020 is as below:

  Lease payments  Interest  Net Present Value 
Within than one year $822  $99  $723 
1 - 3 years  894   64   830 
3 - 5 years         
  $1,716  $163   1,553 

Future minimum lease payments due as of March 31, 2019 is as below:

  Lease payments  Interest  Net Present Value 
Within than one year $1,480  $161  $1,319 
1 - 3 years  1,360   154   1,206 
3 - 5 years  116   23   93 
  $2,956  $338  $2,618 

 

39Standards, Interpretations and Amendments to Published Standards that are not yet effectiveSTANDARDS NOT YET ADOPTED

 

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with CustomersStandards, amendments and Interpretations to existing Standards that are not yet effective and have not been adopted early by the Group

At the date of authorization of these financial statements, several new, but not yet effective, accounting standards, amendments to existing standards, and interpretations have been published by the IASB. None of these standards, amendments or interpretations have been adopted early by the Group.

Management anticipates that all relevant pronouncements will be adopted for the first period beginning on or after the effective date of the pronouncement. New Standards, amendments and Interpretations neither adopted nor listed below have not been disclosed as they are not expected to have a material impact on the Group’s financial statements.

Those which are considered to be relevant to the Company’s operations are set out below.

 

i)i.In May 2014,October 2018, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“IFRS 15”). This standard provides3 “Business Combinations” regarding the definition of 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.“Business.” The amendments:

 

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

clarify that to be considered a business, an acquired set of activities and assets must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the performance obligations inability to create outputs;

narrow the contracts;definitions of a business and (v) recognize revenue when (or as)of outputs by focusing on goods and services provided to customers and by removing the entity satisfiesreference to an ability to reduce costs;

add guidance and illustrative examples to help entities assess whether a performance obligation.

substantive process has been acquired;

 

IFRS 15 replaces

remove the following standardsassessment of whether market participants are capable of replacing any missing inputs or processes and interpretations:

continuing to produce outputs; and

 

·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
add an optional concentration test that permits a simplified assessment of whether an acquired set of activities and assets is not a business.

When first applying IFRS 15, it should be applied in fullThe above amendments are effective for business combinations for which the current period, including retrospective application to all contracts that were not yet complete atacquisition date is on or after 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 priorfirst annual reporting 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, 2018.2020.

The Company is currently evaluating the impact of these amendments on its consolidated financial statements.

ii.In October 2018, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements” (“IAS 1”) and IAS 8 “Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors ” (“IAS 8”) which revised the definition of “Material.” Three aspects of the new definition should especially be noted, as described below:

Obscuring. The existing definition only focused on omitting or misstating information, however, the Board concluded that obscuring material information with information that can be omitted can have a similar effect. Although the term obscuring is new in the definition, it was already part of IAS 1 (IAS 1.30A);

Could reasonably be expected to influence. The existing definition referred to “could influence” which the Board felt might be understood as requiring too much information as almost anything “could influence” the decisions of some users even if the possibility is remote;

Primary users. The existing definition referred only to ‘users’ which again the Board feared might be understood too broadly as requiring them to consider all possible users of financial statements when deciding what information to disclose.

The amendments highlight five ways in which material information can be obscured:

if the language regarding a material item, transaction or other event is vague or unclear;

if information regarding a material item, transaction or other event is scattered in different places in the financial statements;

if dissimilar items, transactions or other events are inappropriately aggregated;

if similar items, transactions or other events are inappropriately disaggregated; and

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

if material information is hidden by immaterial information to the extent that it becomes unclear what information is material.

The new definition of material and the accompanying explanatory paragraphs are contained in IAS 1. The definition of material in IAS 8 has been replaced with a reference to IAS 1. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2020. Earlier application is permitted.

The Group expects to apply this standard retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this standard recognized at Aprilamendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 (i.e. the date of initial2020. Earlier application in accordance with this standard). is permitted.

The Group does not expectCompany is currently evaluating the impact of adoptionthese amendments on its consolidated financial statements.

iii. On May 14, 2020, the IASB issued amendment to IAS 37 by specifying that the ‘cost of fulfilling’ a contract comprises the ‘costs that relate directly to the contract’. Costs that relate directly to a contract consist of both the incremental costs of fulfilling that contract (examples would be direct labour or materials) and an allocation of other costs that relate directly to fulfilling contracts (an example would be the allocation of the standard on opening reserve to be material.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments: In July 2014,depreciation charge for an item of property, plant and equipment used in fulfilling 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.contract).

 

The Key requirementsCompany is currently evaluating the impact of IFRS 9:these amendments on its consolidated financial statements.

 

ReplacesThe amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2022. Early application is permitted

iv. In January 23, 2020, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 39’s measurement categories with1 “Presentation of Financial Statements” (“IAS 1”) to clarify the following three categories:classification criteria of liabilities in the statement of financial position. The most significant changes are listed below:

·fair value through profitClassification of liabilities as current or lossnon-current should be based on rights to defer settlement that are in existence at the end of the reporting period

·fair value through other comprehensive incomeClassification of a liability is unaffected by the likelihood that the entity will exercise its right to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting period’. That is, management’s intention to settle in the short run does not impact the classification.

·amortized cost‘Settlement’ is defined as the extinguishment of a liability with cash, other economic resources or an entity’s own equity instruments.

·Clarifies that if the right to defer settlement is conditional on the compliance with covenants the right exists if the conditions are met at the end of the reporting period,

·Clarifies that if a liability has terms that could, at the option of the counterparty, result in its settlement by the transfer of the entity’s own equity instruments, these terms do not affect its classification as current or non-current if the entity recognises the option separately as an equity instrument applying IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation.

 

Eliminates the requirementThe amendments are effective for separation of embedded derivatives from hybrid financial assets, the classification requirements to be applied to the hybrid financial asset in its entirety.annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2022. Earlier application is permitted.

 

Requires an entity to presentThe Company is currently evaluating the amountimpact 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.these amendments on its consolidated financial statements.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

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

40·Increases the eligibility of hedged item and hedging instruments;
·Introduces a more principles–based approach to assess hedge effectiveness.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

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

 

Earlier application is permitted provided that allOn April 17, 2020, Eros International Plc (“Eros”) entered into the requirementsMerger Agreement with STX Filmworks, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“STX”). Pursuant to closing of the merger, STX will merge with a newly formed subsidiary of Eros and will survive as a wholly owned subsidiary of Eros. As merger consideration, Eros will issue to the former stockholders of STX a number of A ordinary shares equal in the Standard are applied ataggregate to the sametotal number of Eros ordinary shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis as of immediately prior to the effective 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 Group does not expect the impact of adoption of the standard to be material.merger.

 

Further,

STX Entertainment is a fully integrated global media company specializing in October 2017, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issued an additional amendmentproduction, marketing, and distribution of talent-driven motion picture, television and multimedia content. It is the first major entertainment and media company to IFRS 9. Based on the amendment financial assets containing prepayment features with negative compensation can now be measuredlaunched at amortised cost or at fair value through other comprehensive income if they meet the other relevant requirements under IFRS 9.this scale in Hollywood in more than twenty years.

 

The effective date for adoptiongroup expects that the combined company will be uniquely positioned to benefit from the accelerating consumption of premium digital content in the world’s most important growth markets with robust capital structure and experienced management team. The combined company is also expected to generate an operating synergies within 24 months of closing of the amendment is 1 January 2019. Further,merger transaction, stemming from integration and scale benefits, optimization of global content distribution and enhanced monetization of the amendment must be applied retrospectively and earlier application is permitted. The amendment provides specific transition provision if it is only applied in 2019 rather than in 2018Eros Now platform. In connection with the restmerger, $125,000 of IFRS 9. The Group does not believe that this amendmentincremental equity will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

IFRS 16 Leases: On January 13, 2016, the International Accounting Standards Board issued the final version of IFRS 16, Leases. IFRS 16 will replace the existing leases Standard, IAS 17 Leases, and related Interpretations. The Standard sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract i.e., the lessee and the lessor. IFRS 16 introduces a single lessee accounting model and requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities for all leases with a term of more than 12 months, unless the underlying asset is of low value. Currently, operating lease expenses are chargedalso be contributed to the statement of comprehensive income. The Standard also contains enhanced disclosure requirements for lessees. IFRS 16 substantially carries forward the lessor accounting requirements in IAS 17.combined company by new equity investors and existing STX equity investors.

 

The effective date for adoptionMerger Agreement was approved unanimously by the Boards of IFRS 16 is annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019, though early adoption is permitted forDirectors of both companies applying IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Group is yet to evaluate the requirements of IFRS 16 and the impact on the consolidated financial statements.

IFRIC 22, Foreign currency transactions and Advance consideration: On December 8, 2016, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issued IFRS interpretation IFRIC 22, Foreign currency transactions and Advance consideration which clarifies the dateclosing of the transaction for the purpose of determining the exchange ratemerger is subject to use on initial recognition of the related asset, expense or income, when an entity has received or paid advance consideration in a foreign currency. The effective date for adoption of IFRIC 22 is annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, though early adoption is permitted. The Group is currently evaluating the effect of IFRIC 22 on the consolidated financial statements.

IFRIC 23, Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments: In June 2017, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issued IFRS interpretation IFRIC 23 — Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments which is to be applied while performing the determination of taxable profit (or loss), tax bases, unused tax losses, unused tax creditsregulatory approvals and tax rates, when there is uncertainty over income tax treatments under IAS 12.

According to IFRIC 23, companies need to determine the probability of the relevant tax authority accepting each tax treatment, or group of tax treatments, that the companies have used or plan to use in their income tax filing which has to be considered to compute the most likely amount or the expected value of the tax treatment when determining taxable profit (tax loss), tax bases, unused tax losses, unused tax credits and tax rates.


EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The standard permits two possible methods of transition:

·Full retrospective approach – Under this approach, IFRIC 23 will be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented in accordance with IAS 8 – Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors
·Retrospectively with cumulative effect of initially applying IFRIC 23 recognized by adjusting equity on initial application, without adjusting comparatives

The effective date for adoption of IFRIC 23 is annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019, though early adoption is permitted. The Group does not believe that this amendment will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Amendment to IAS 28

In October 2017, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issued an amendment to IAS 28, to address the issue on accounting of long term interests in Associates and Joint ventures. The amendments clarify that an entity applies IFRS 9 Financial Instruments to long-term interests in an associate or joint venture to which the equity method is not applied but that, in substance, form part of the net investment in the associate or joint venture (long-term interests). This clarification is relevant because it implies that the expected credit loss model in IFRS 9 applies to such long-term interests.other customary closing conditions.

 

The effective date for adoptionCompany is in the process of the amendment is 1 January 2019, however early adoption is permitted with disclosures. The Group does not believe that this amendment will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Amendment to IAS 19

In February, 2018, the International Accounting standards issued an amendment to IAS 19 to address theevaluating accounting when a plan amendment, curtailment or settlement occurs during a reporting period. The amendments specify that when a plan amendment, curtailment or settlement occurs during the annual reporting period, an entity is required to:

Determine current service cost for the remainder of the period after the plan amendment, curtailment or settlement, using the actuarial assumptions used to remeasure the net defined benefit liability (asset) reflecting the benefits offered under the plan and the plan assets after that event.

Determine net interest for the remainder of the period after the plan amendment, curtailment or settlement using: the net defined benefit liability (asset) reflecting the benefits offered under the plan and the plan assets after that event; and the discount rate used to remeasure that net defined benefit liability (asset)

The effective date for adoption of the amendment is 1 January 2019, however early adoption is permitted. Given that the Group does not have any amendments to its defined benefit plan, the amendment does not have any impact on the Group.

Amendments to IFRS 2, Share-based payment: In June 2016, the International Accounting Standards Board issued the amendments to IFRS 2, providing specific guidance for measurement of cash-settled awards, modification of cash-settled awards and awards that include a net settlement featureimplication in respect of withholding taxes. It clarifies that the fair value of cash-settled awards is determined on a basis consistent with that used for equity-settled awards. Market-based performance conditions and non-vesting conditions are reflected in the ‘fair values’, but non-market performance conditions and service vesting conditions are reflected in the estimate of the number of awards expected to vest. Also, the amendment clarifies that if the terms and conditions of a cash-settled share-based payment transaction are modified with the result that it becomes an equity-settled share-based payment transaction, the transaction is accounted for as such from the date of the modification. Further, the amendment requires the award that includes a net settlement feature in respect of withholding taxes to be treated as equity-settled in its entirety. The cash payment to the tax authority is treated as if it was part of an equity settlement. The effective date for adoption of the amendments to IFRS 2 is annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, though early adoption is permitted. The Group does not believe that this amendment will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

aforesaid merger transaction.