It is said that change is the only constant .The Indian Film & Television Industry too conforms to this axiom. We have seen in the past few years the business of entertainment transform itself. This year has so far seen the pace of change accentuate. The members of the Guild represent the best in our cinematic heritage but combine it with the dynamism of a new entertainment order.

Today there is more evidence of corporatiztion than ever before. Many of our members are listed on the stock exchange. There are others who have attracted Private equity from Institutional investors from home and abroad. There are many leading Producers from the well-known film makers like Yash Chopra, Subhash Ghai, Ramesh Sippy, Amitabh Bachchan, Boney Kapoor, Ram Gopal Verma, Mukesh Bhatt, and Bobby Bedi who are now producing several films a year. Along with them are the new diversified media companies like ZEE, HINDUJAS, SAHARA , UTV, ADLABS, SAREGAMA, K SERA SERA, NIMBUS, TIPS, VENUS and SHRINGAR who are straddling many segments of the business. The Guild also boasts of all the leading TV Production houses as its members. From STAR TV, SONY, TV TODAY, NDTV, TV EIGHTEEN, MTV, CREATIVE EYE, BALAJI, MIDITECH, BAG FILMS, OPTYMYSTIX, CINEVISTAS are all leading the Indian content creation to new heights.

Of course we have the fortune of having amidst us stalwarts as BR CHOPRA,GP SIPPY,RAMANAND SAGAR, DEV ANAND and J OM PRAKASH and other veterans like Kamal Barjatya, Prakash Mehra,Kiran Shantaram,Raj Tilak and Gafarbhai Nadiadwala.There is so much of diverse talent in the Guild today that it bides well for Indian entertainment. From auteurs like Shyam Benegal, Basu Chaterji, Rakesh Roshan, Ravi Chopra, Shekhar Kapur, Govind Nihalani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Prakash Jha, Sudhir Misra to the young champs Ashutosh Gowarikar, Karan Johar, Frahan Akhtar, Nikhil Advani are all symbols of the great future of Indian filmed content

The Guild has taken several new initiatives to assist members in the ever-changing environment. From making proper and timely representations to the Government to forging alliances with Producers Guild of America and USINPAC to participation in International Film festivals and markets. There is regular interaction with other Trade Associations like FICCI & CII.The Guild also facilitates meetings with visiting delegations from overseas. Then there are the APSARA AWRDS and EM2- our annual events. Today our website is becoming a global resource center and attempts are being made to provide more information and services to both our members as well as others interested in Indian films and TV.

As we move towards a new Digital World where content will play an ever-increasing role, existing business models may need to be reinvented. There is already a new thrust in marketing which is changing the contours of traditional production, distribution and exhibition of films and TV programmes. Multiple revenue streams and new screening windows are emerging by the week. It is important to keep pace with this rapid transformation. What gives this business its unique flavour is creativity. This will always be the driving force whatever be the technology or the market.

The Guild will continue to provide a platform for all the stakeholders in the business to interact with one another as well as the outside world. Above all it will help us, remind us the great cultural heritage of our founding fathers as well be a beacon of the times to come.

- Amit Khanna
President, Film & Television Producers Guild of India
31st August 2005