Eros boosted by global Bollywood films boom

Continued global demand for the latest Bollywood films has helped producer and distributor Eros International post a 17% leap in profits.

Box-office success for Indian hit films including Rockstar, Desi Boyz, starring Chitrangada Singh, and Agent Vinod, has boosted Eros, which co-produces, buys and distributes Indian language films in more than 50 countries.

Sales were up 25.5% to $206.5 million (£133.5 million) in the year to 31 March and underlying operating profits rose to $66.7 million. But full-year pre-tax profit fell to $53.64 million from $55.79 million. Kishore Lulla, executive chairman, said: “These results are all the more impressive as they have been achieved despite the 13.8% depreciation of the Indian rupee against the US dollar.”

Eros has launched Eros Now, an on-demand entertainment platform accessible via mobile.