Showcase Video For The AJBN Flagship Event

I don’t always get the opportunity to be part of the creative team behind productions and be interviewed alongside many others in a showcase video. It was great to be part of the video production and contribute to a successful production. The showcase video is a great reminder of the power of corporate videos and investment in film & TV projects.

I’m delighted to be working closely with Kerstin Craig of Lucky Jumper Films and colleague, former Sky Sports producer, Tejas Kotecha of Tejas Kotecha Communications. Who both played key roles in the production of the showcase video.

We enjoyed capturing many of the event highlights on video, including interviews with exhibiting businesses and attendees top networking tips. It is always a refreshing experience. The AJBN showcase video highlights the great value that corporate videos and investment in film & TV can bring.

Watch The Showcase Video

Professional & Engaging Corporate Videos For Your Business

Video marketing is a powerful, but often an untapped marketing tool. It can secure excellent exposure and engagement for your business in an innovative, unique and cost-effective way.

If your business is looking to create a professional and engaging corporate video to attract new clients or educate its audience, equip its teams with the latest communication and presentation skills to win business or improve, we can help.

We also help businesses reach businesses, customers and communities across the globe through promotion and sponsorship opportunities in film & TV. Our opportunities include product placement and film investment, both of which can be beneficial to businesses across a range of sectors.

Contact Ash To Discuss How Corporate Videos And Film & TV Projects Can Benefit Your Business

Get in touch with me to find out how a new corporate video or involvement with a film & TV project through a promotion or sponsorship opportunity can help your business reach new audiences in an innovative and cost-effective way.

Email ash@ashverma.com to discuss how my corporate video, film & TV partners and I could help your business.

“Economic growth and trade agreements go hand in hand, especially in times of global turbulence characterised by wars, conflicts and indeed tariff negotiations and various challenges”.

That was my key message on 26 September 2025, during my presentation as a panel member at the Hindu Economic Forum (HEF), UK’s networking and business engagement event organised to celebrate the first anniversary of its Buckingham and Berkshire Chapter.

HEF, whose focus is economic empowerment, currently operates in 13 countries with over 40 chapters, including five thriving in the UK: London, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, Glasgow, South London, and Edinburgh.

The event held at Harrow District Masonic Council, attracted a distinguished audience of over 100 professionals, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and changemakers eager to explore how this landmark deal can be harnessed for real economic growth.

The FTA

Origins and purpose

The FTA is a 30 Chapter document and subject to ratification by both Parliaments and legal processes and expected to deliver from early 2026 onwards, is based on the 2030 Roadmap between the UK and India signed in 2021, which set out the foundations or pillars of a comprehensive strategic partnership. These are enhanced trade, investment, defence cooperation and mobility of people.

Key highlights

• Boost trade by an additional £25.5bn a year by 2040 (£42bn last year), with all UK regions are projected to benefit from the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
• Significantly reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers on a wide range of goods – UK has committed to phasing out import duties on nearly 99% of Indian exports—including textiles, footwear, marine products, and jewellery sectors. India will also lower its historically steep tariffs on Scotch whisky, high-end automobiles, and medical equipment.
• Expand market access in services through provisions of cooperation and mutual recognition of qualifications.
• Introduce a landmark Social Security Agreement, under which Indian professionals working temporarily in the UK will be exempt from double social security contributions.
• Include forward-looking chapters on digital trade, intellectual property, sustainable development, and investment facilitation, to ensure that the overall framework remains adaptable to future economic transitions.

Benefits

For businesses

• Gains for services and manufacturing industries
• Consumers will see lower prices on Indian goods including food, clothing, and footwear
• Increased export opportunities and investment across many sectors such as services, automotive, clean energy and environment, digital & technology, creative Industries
• Specific regions and businesses, like Wales-based Concrete Canvas and the West Midlands, are also identified as potential beneficiaries, with job creation and growth anticipated across the country
• Job creation as a result of the expected boost in trade
• Increased GDP and Wages – the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) estimates the FTA will increase UK GDP by £4.8 billion annually and boost UK wages by £2.2 billion, benefiting communities across the country

For Consumers

• Greater choice
• Consumer protection

Insights From The HEF Panel

As an Advisor to HEF, it was pleasing for us to help organise the panel interaction and be an active player on the panel itself.

Fellow panellists included Siddharth Mukne, Mitul Ruparelia, Sachin Nandha. The panel was moderated by HEF UK Vice President, Subhash Thakrar, OBE, and Dr Gautam Sen provided an interesting geo-political theme to the FTA.

The panel’s collective insights on the UK–India FTA went far beyond policy. They offered clear, practical perspectives on how businesses can seize new opportunities, overcome challenges, and benefit from this landmark agreement. Each speaker’s contribution added a unique dimension — from trade facilitation and finance to entrepreneurship and international relations.

The feedback from members and attendees has been resounding: the session was not only informative but also highly practical, inspiring, and action oriented. It offered clarity on how businesses can adapt to the evolving trade landscape, while instilling confidence in the prosperity this agreement can unlock.

In short, the audience feedback hailed the session as “enlightening, inspiring, and immediately actionable.”

Find Out More About The FTA And International Trade Opportunities

For further information on the FTA and how to benefit from the opportunities that the various states in India and its T1, T2 and T3 cities have to offer, email ash@ashverma.com

This was my opening remark at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry – FICCI Forum of Parliamentarians (FOP) delegation’s interaction kindly hosted by Brunel University of London on 12 September 2025 with business leaders, academics, professionals, Hillingdon Council, and Indian students.

The FTA, which is subject to ratification by both Parliaments and is expected to begin to deliver from early 2026 onwards, will eliminate tariffs on most goods, ease market access for services and lead to billions in new trade and investment.

Indian companies will gain greater entry into the UK market, while British exports ranging from food and beverages to high-end engineering products will see tariffs slashed in India. Here are some highlights:

• The deal will boost trade by an additional £25.5bn a year by 2040 (£42bn last year).
• The UK will lower taxes on goods imported from India on clothing and footwear, food products including frozen prawns, jewellery and gems and some cars.
• India will lower taxes on goods imported from the UK including cosmetics, scotch whisky and gin, soft drinks, higher-value cars, food – lamb, salmon, chocolate and biscuits, medical devices, aerospace, and electrical machinery.

FICCI, with whom we have a longstanding partnership, is the largest and oldest apex business organisation and the voice of business and industry in India.

The Forum of Parliamentarians (FOP) is a unique initiative within FICCI and engages at the bilateral and multilateral levels through inbound and outbound delegations and exchanges with elected representatives, industry, policy experts, think tanks, universities, media, and counterpart organisations across the globe. FOP’s objective is to promote soft-power diplomacy and to ensure engagement of diverse political landscapes for exchange of best political and business practice.

India is expected to be the third largest economy in the world in the next few years, with each of its states focusing on development and growth of Tier 1, 2 and 3 cities. This can help to complement the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and economic growth across all regions.

For information on how to explore business and investment opportunities between the UK and India, or questions about the FTA, please email ash@ashverma.com

Deven Pillay, our Chief Executive, was delighted to welcome Cllr Philip Corthorne, the Mayor of the London Borough of Hillingdon to our stand.

At Community Connex, “we strive to work with people with a learning disability, autistic people, those experiencing disadvantages, and their families to help them live healthier, happier, and inclusive lives”.

Our theme this year was to encourage and inspire the business community to become more involved in our advocacy, campaigns, and events to raise awareness and generally help people to understand how we make a difference to people’s lives. This year’s Expo helped us to achieve this.

Thank you, Andy Sharma and Kim McGearty, and all at Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce for organising another successful Expo and bringing major employers and a hundred local businesses together as exhibitors.

Community Connex operates across North-West London, Luton, and Oxford. We are keen to collaborate with like-minded people from across the UK, and overseas.

To find out more about “social giving” and responsible business practice contact me, ash@ashverma.com or visit www.communityconnex.co.uk

Secure First Access To Amazing Kickstarter Backer Rewards

Be the first to access an amazing range of Kickstarter backer rewards from £1 – £6,500. If you are new to Kickstarter, everything is explained here: A Backer’s Guide to Crowdfunding.

Rewards include everything from exclusive movie fan collector bundles to online film masterclasses, movie credits.  You can even treat a loved one to an on-screen ‘death’ with our special ‘Aaaaargh!’ perk.

About Death by PowerPoint

Aimed at a broad international audience of young film fans, Death by PowerPoint DbPP is a unique horror-comedy feature film.

Exterior shoots of DbPP will be on Brunel University of London campus, which has appeared in Stanley Kubrick’s iconic A Clockwork Orange and on TV in Channel Four’s Big Boys. Shooting is scheduled for late 2025.

The film will feature several high-profile names from the world of comedy (subject to contract). Many are Brunel University of London alumni.

The creative team at production company Reel Fearz Ltd comprises multi-award-winning director/writer/producer, Frazer Lee (On Edge, The Stay, Panic Button) and writer/co-producer, Max Kinnings (Alleycats, The Pagan King), and executive producer, Ash Verma (ITV-X’s The Effects of Lying, Punishment), and co-producer, Martina Reynolds (Soapopolis, The Neighbor).

Hope to see you at the red-carpet Premiere!

Getting Involved With The Death by PowerPoint Kickstarter

If you would like to get involved with the Death by PowerPoint Kickstarter, you can sign up to be notified of the Kickstarter launch here > https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/frazerlee/death-by-powerpoint.

For investment and sponsorship opportunities or questions about the Kickstarter, please email: ash@ashverma.com.

The podcast series, launched on 26 June 2024, explores the journeys of people from the Global South Asian Diaspora to West London, through food, especially restaurants and caterers.  What a buzz there was!

Exciting 15 Minute Trailer And Q&A

Following the presentation of a 15-minute trailer of the 10-part series and a Q&A, the 100 plus diverse audience made up of businesses, academics, students and others, was treated to a wonderful array of mouthwatering South Asian food, including Momos, Hyderabadi Biryani and Mumbai’s number one street food, Vada Pav.

The Migration Menu Trailer & Episodes

Visit The Migration Menu website to access the trailer and episodes on Spotify, Amazon, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts, but here’s the schedule.

• 26^th June, Namaste Gurkha – There Will Always Be Momo
• 2^nd July, Al Hyderabadi – “For Biryani, it’s the Uxbridge Road”
• 9^th July, Saravana Bhavan – “A home away from home”
• 16^th July, Ash Verma – “A stomach for business”
• 23^rd July, Madhu’s – “when my back is against the wall”
• 30^th July, Shri Krishna Vada Pav (SKVP) – “On the spice train”
• 6^th August, Yako – “Short eats, not short cuts”
• 24^th August, London Food Company – “A One-Woman Army”

The Aim Of The Migration Menu

The podcast series is part of Brunel University’s wider inroads into its cutting-edge research across the sub-continent and beyond.

The eventual aim of this, and future podcast series will be to capture these journeys in a book and a documentary, both entitled “The Migration Menu”.

The podcast series will also contribute to the University’s new and equally exciting MSc in Global South Asia Studies, which will equip students with the skills to confront the big challenges that will dominate the next century.

Ready To Share Your Food Journey?

Email ash@ashverma.com if you have a food journey to share for the next series or have suggestions for what further research Brunel University, London can undertake to help restauranteurs and caterers to be more successful.

Film Overview

It’s Halloween party night on campus but for Fenny Godspeed and her fellow students, a horror screenwriting evening class becomes a nightmare. Can Fenny use the rules of writing horror to survive? Next slide please!

Aimed at a broad international audience of young film fans, Death by PowerPoint is a commercial horror-comedy feature film with a difference. Its production process involves a unique collaboration between Brunel University London, producers Reel Fearz, and Ash Verma Consulting.

Death By Powerpoint’s Award Winning Creative Team

The key creative team comprises multi-award-winning Director/Writer/Producer, Frazer Lee (On Edge, The Stay, Panic Button) and Writer/Co-producer, Max Kinnings (Alleycats, The Pagan King). Frazer and Max are both Creative Writing academics in the Arts & Humanities department at Brunel and are partnering with Executive Producer, Ash Verma (The Effects of Lying, Punishment) who is an Honorary Fellow of Brunel, and producer, Martina Reynolds (Soapopolis, The Neighbor) at production company Reel Fearz Ltd.

Inspiring The Next Generation Of Film Makers

During the filming, Brunel students and staff will be given the opportunity to work alongside the creative team, professional cast and crew gaining key work experience and transferable skills across several film industry disciplines. The Brunel Film Lab programme will allow students to gain invaluable professional development and training via the University’s locations, technology, and state-of-the art equipment.

With its distinctive brutalist architecture, Brunel University London has a rich history in cinema and television. The Lecture Centre featured in Stanley Kubrick’s iconic A Clockwork Orange and the quadrangle was the main location for the Comic Strip’s Summer School. Most recently, the campus has featured as the fictitious Brent University in Channel Four sitcom Big Boys.

Brunel’s high-profile alumni in the world of comedy,  including Greg Davies, Sharon Horgan, Lee Mack, and Jo Brand offer further inspiration to the next generation.

Join Us For The Death By Powerpoint Launch

Join us for the exciting and spooky launch of Death By Powerpoint at Brunel University on the 29th November 2023. The two hour launch event, starts at 17:30 and concludes at 19:30. Attendees will enjoy a special presentation about Death By Powerpoint as well as networking over drinks and snacks.

Register for your free ticket on Eventbrite.

On the 6th of July, The Effects of Lying had its official UK release on ITVX where it can be viewed for the next 30 months.

Our Creative and Production Team includes, Director Isher Sahota, Producer Jon Tarcy, writer James Hey, script editor Parmjit Gill, and Executive Producer, Ash Verma.

The Effects Of Lying Screened At Film Festivals

Alongside the ITVX release, the film has been screened at several film festivals in the UK and overseas, where it has been a sellout.

The Effects of Lying was screened to sell-out audiences and selected as one of six finalists  ‘in competition’ at Dinard Film Festival a festival in Brittany that is the “home of British Film” for 4 days from 27^th September to 1^st October.

The film continues to generate widespread and diverse reviews, previews, and interviews, over 200 so far, across key print, broadcast and online outlets including reviews, previews, and interviews.  Some examples below.

Evening  Standard – “There’s already a bit of BAFTA buzz around this British indie film – and for good reason”

The  Times – “It’s a South Asian ‘Secrets & Lies’ and Ace Bhatti should get more leading roles off the back of his fine performance.”

The Guardian – Seven best shows to stream this week – “It’s an intense watch, brought to life by a fine cast.”

This is a how one seasoned industry and arts and humanities professional summed up The Effects of Lying – “The film’s great – warm, funny, sometimes shocking, always thought-provoking and all the more impressive knowing that it was shot in 12 days!”

Interested In Being Part Of A Film Fund?

Want to benefit from our diverse, exciting, and rewarding Film and TV projects?

Contact Ash Verma on ash@ashverma.com to explore innovative ways to raise brand awareness, grow business and reach out to customers globally by investing, sponsoring, or placing products and services through film and TV.

ITVX has acquired The Effects of Lying, the debut production for independent production company Bonaparte Films.  The film will launch on ITVX on July 6th, during South Asian Heritage Month.

Watch The Effects Of Lying Early At The British Film Institute (BFI)

Film lovers can watch The Effects of Lying before the ITVX launch at British Film Institute (BFI) in London on Wednesday 28th June at 6pm.  Booking link can be found here.

After the screening, Producer Jon Tarcy and Director Isher Sahota, will hold a Q&A session with the audience, which will then be followed by drinks.  Some of the cast, other members of the production team and ITV press team will also be at the screening.

The Effects Of Lying

The Effects of Lying is a comedic drama with real heart that brings a refreshing South Asian representation to our screens.

The film’s creative team includes: Isher Sahota, Director (Grace, Mcdonald & Dodd, Father Brown), Jon Tarcy, Producer (Life in Black, Outlander and FBI International and Ash Verma, Executive Producer (Death by PowerPoint and documentaries A Stitch in Time and Invest Harrow).

Delightfully chaotic, The Effects of Lying follows dutiful husband and loving father Naveen (Ace Bhatti), whose life falls apart over a series of shocking events taking place over the course of just one day. Decades of festering secrets are finally exposed, and Naveen is forced to face up to some home truths.

Leading the cast is Ace Bhatti (Bohemian Rhapsody, Line of Duty), Laila Rouass (Holby City, Spooks), and Lauren Patel (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), alongside Navin Chowdhry (The End of the F***ing World, Our Girl), Shaheen Khan (Bend it Like Beckham) and Mark Williams (Harry Potter).

Naveen (Ace Bhatti)

Naveen (Bhatti) has lived his life by the book; he’s a loyal husband and loving father. He’s sacrificed everything for his family, but today is going to be different. After finding his teenage daughter Simran (Patel) secretly gorging and his dissatisfied wife Sangeeta (Rouass) in bed with his brother (Chowdry), lies come pouring out and the truth is uncovered.

Naveen must now get to grips with the key relationships in his life that he bases his identity on. What is he, if not a husband, a father, a brother? He’s allowed himself to be passive too long, pushed around by the currents of other people’s whims and desires. He must learn to take responsibility for his own life and his own happiness.

Ace Bhatti says about his character: “Naveen is a man who tries to do right by his family. He’s trying so hard to keep his fractious family together, but within 24 hours he learns three very deep, very dark secrets that break his life apart. By lunchtime, his whole life is shattered and he has to learn very quickly how to deal with that on an emotional level.”

Sangeeta (Laila Rouass)

Laila Rouass speaks about Sangeeta, “Sangeeta finds herself trapped and disappointed that her life has taken the route it has. We find her at a real crossroads, and I think a lot of women can relate to someone like her – a reflection of the opportunities you didn’t take. This film meant a lot to us and the opportunity to do something where everyone’s united in the reason they’re doing it. For me, that’s where the magic lies in this movie.”

Isher Sahota said, “We’re thrilled to partner with ITVX on this exciting journey. “The Effects of Lying” is a relatable, hilarious, and heart-warming film, so we are delighted the show has found its home on ITVX.”

Jon Tarcy said, “Our mission was to bring a new moment in representation to UK screens, so to be supported by a major platform in this competitive climate is a dream come true.  This has inspired us to work on new and diverse projects to drive our passionate for the creative sector to new limits, as it contributes so much to skills, employment, and economic growth.”

The Effects Of Lying BAFTA & Film Bazaar Screening

The Effects of Lying was screened to the film and TV industry at BAFTA last June and at Film Bazaar in Goa in November 2022.  Since then, it has been promoted at Cannes this year and selected for international premiere at the Galway Film Festival on July 12th and its North American premiere at the New York Asian Film Festival at the Lincoln Centre on July 18th.

The UK’s world class film and TV industries have gone from strength to strength in recent years and West London, the Capital’s creative hub where most of the filming of The Effects of Lying took place, is no exception.

How Ash Can Help You Reach New Audiences Through Film & TV

For information on how you can invest, sponsor, or promote your brand, grow your business, and reach out to customers, globally, through film and TV, contact Ash or email: ash@ashverma.com.