The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) has informed members of the exchange that 65 scrips, of which five are media companies, will attract special margins effective today (10 June 10).

The rates of special margins have been revised keeping in view the closing price of the scrip on the last day of the settlement, the BSE declared.

The media scrips on which special margins of 25 cer cent have been imposed are ETC Networks, cable MSO Hathway Bhawani, Orbit Multimedia, Padmalaya Telefilms and Top Telemedia.

After making a name for himself directing serials like Hasratein and Justujoo, Ajai Sinha is now ready to go 70 mm.
His first Bollywood directorial venture is titled The Bachelor. Produced by Mahendra Dhariwal (of Maa Tujhe Salaam fame) and written by Raghuveer Shekhawat and Sinha himself , the film is a romantic comedy, he says. As the name suggests, it‘s the story of three bachelors- two collegians and one professor.

"It‘s a story of youthful notoriety, fun, mischief and disguise," says Ajai. Is the movie inspired by the success of Style? "No, not really. None of my projects even on TV have been inspired by other people‘s work. Like my serials, this movie will be unique in its content and treatment."

Has his decision to enter the movie arena got to do with his disillusionment with the TV scenario? "Yes and no. It is true that producers today have very little say as far as pushing their own stories/concepts are concerned and have no option but to do what the channels want them to. But none of my decisions in life have been taken out of compulsion. I had this story with me for the last five years. It‘s just that with the small- budget movie scene looking up now, it was relatively easier for me to get a producer.

"But does that mean quits as far as his TV projects go?
"No way. Justujoo will go on for some time. So, TV will continue to be my bread and butter."

Continuing a programme push that began in April, AXN TV, the action channel from Sony Entertainment Television, is launching seven action series over the next two months, "Crime Scene Investigation", "Sheena" and the third series of VIP among them. And in an initiative aimed at promoting the brand in Indian homes, AXN is talking to Indian production companies to evolve a programme series with purely indigenous action content.

"We‘re talking with leading local production companies and it is taking time. But we are optimistic that we will work something out. Especially in the area of adventure/lifestyle/sports. The interaction between SET and AXN in India has been mutually beneficial to both," says Shantonu Aditya, senior VP, (franchise channels and distribution) SET.

AXN Asia is available to more than 22 million households 24-hours daily throughout Asia in Taiwan, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, South Korea, Macau, Papua New Guinea, and in hotels and VIP compounds in China. AXN channels operate in Japan, Israel and Latin America, and will continue to launch more channels worldwide, according to a company release.