Category: Television

Homable Group and Perpetual Capital invest together and launch Astra Studios

Mumbai: Astra Studios, a bold new force in global creative technology, has been officially launched. Founded by the former senior leadership from MPC, The Mill and Technicolor India – Biren Ghose, RK Chand, Rajarajan Ramakrishnan and Shajy Thomas, the company is backed by a strategic investment from the Hombale Group, creators of India’s most successful storytelling franchises including KGF, Salaar and Kantara along with Perpetual Capital.

The rise of Machine Learning & Gen AI is disrupting every layer of content production, triggering a reinvention of creative workflows, talent dynamics, and business models in the industry. Blending decades of global expertise in Creative Storytelling, Visual Effects, Animation, Immersive & Experiential Media, the Astra Studios leadership team is poised to redefine how high-quality content is imagined & produced. With next-generation workflows and a focus on compelling, character-led storytelling universes, Astra is setting out to empower filmmakers, brands and content platforms alike.

“Astra is our launchpad for a creative revolution – a studio purpose-built for the future of content. We are fusing world-class artistry with cutting-edge emerging technologies. We will play in the arena where cinematic brilliance meets next-gen computer graphics. This will redefine how stories are designed, created, shared and experienced. India is at an inflection point in the global content arena, and Astra aims to lead that evolution, creating new jobs while continuing to partner creatives globally.” said Astra Studios founder Biren Ghose.

“We are supporting the vision behind Astra Studios to help grow stories and movie franchises across different platforms using emerging technologies. Astra’s founding team brings a wealth of talent and experience as well as global connectivity and passion for new technology. This will enable the Hombale Group to undertake projects with greater scope and complexity to create powerful new ‘story worlds’ for our franchise fandoms.” said Hombale Films founder Vijay Kiragandur.

Astra Studios’ core focus areas include:

●End to End Creative Solutions for Films, Series and Brand Campaigns – Ideation, Visualisation, VFX, Generative AI Solutions and Post-Production

● Development of original Character Universes and Global IP

● Immersive Experiences across brands, AR/VR and Location-based media

● Premium Animation for both Streaming and Theatrical formats

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July 28, 2025
Nishant Tannwarr steps up as general manager at TV Today

NEW DELHI: Nishant Tannwarr has been appointed general manager at TV Today, home to leading news brands like Aaj Tak and India Today. A media industry stalwart with over two decades of experience, Tannwarr brings deep expertise across regional revenue, key account management, and broadcast sales.

Tannwarr has been with TV Today since 2022, previously serving as north head of Aaj Tak HD, where he spearheaded monetisation efforts across the premium Hindi news offering. His elevation signals the group’s intent to double down on integrated sales strategies and agency partnerships.

Prior to joining TV Today, Tannwarr held senior sales and leadership roles at Sony Pictures Networks, where he served as region head for SAB TV, and earlier as vice president handling national revenue mandates. His media career includes stints at Star India, Zee Telefilms, Eenadu TV and Daewoo Motors—cutting his teeth across both regional and national markets.

Known for building scalable revenue engines and high-performing sales teams, Tannwarr is expected to steer TV Today’s commercial agenda in a volatile media landscape increasingly shaped by digital shifts and advertiser fragmentation.

July 27, 2025
Television’s Biggest Night: Inside the Dazzling Indian Telly Awards 2025

MUMBAI: The stage was set for a glittering event, one of India’s most prestigious entertainment award functions in television. Organized by the parent company, Indian Television Dot Com and Tellychakkar, the event honoured the finest talent in Indian television, celebrating exceptional performances, groundbreaking creativity, and artistic excellence.

Hosted by Sandiip Sikcand, Jay Soni and Sugandha Mishra, this year’s ceremony was as dazzling as it was memorable.

Event Details:
• Date: 23rd july 2025
• Time: 7:00 PM – 11:30 PM
• Venue: JW Marriott Juhu
• Tickets: By invite only

THE GRACEFUL SPONSORS WITHOUT WHICH THE EVENING WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE ARE :

Waman Hari Pethe Jewellers has been a trusted name since 1909.

Rooted in Maharashtra’s rich heritage and driven by a progressive vision, we are proud to be the Title Sponsor of the Indian Telly Awards this year.

This association celebrates the brilliance of Indian television, just as we celebrate craftsmanship and timeless elegance in jewellery.

We look forward to a long and meaningful partnership with this iconic platform,” said Ashish Pethe, Partner, Waman Hari Pethe Jewellers. “Partnering with the Indian Telly Awards is a proud moment for RENÉE. It’s a celebration of confidence, creativity, and the power of self-expression. Together, we honor the faces and stories that continue to inspire millions.”

Aashka Goradia, Co – Founder & CMO, RENÉE Cosmetics “At OTerRi, we get that life moves fast, and laundry usually gets left behind. That’s where we step in.

Partnering with the Indian Telly Awards means more than visibility for us.

It means reminding people that even in the middle of all the lights, cameras, and chaos, clean clothes shouldn’t be a worry.

We’re here to make everyday life feel a little lighter, one load at a time!

Behind every spotless outfit, there is a silent hero – We are OterRi” – Abhishek Sharma CTO & Manoj Wanvari COO OterRi

“The Indian Telly awards are not just about celebrating talent but about acknowledging the stories that inspire and resonate with millions. This year, they aim to make the event bigger and more unforgettable than ever with getting the best from the Industry under one roof and making sure they are acknowledged for entertaining millions,” said Anil Wanvari, Founder of the awards and parent companies.

Event Highlights:

• Red carpet arrivals featuring India’s top TV and music stars.

• Award categories, including Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Show and Viewers and Editors Choice Awards.

• Jeetendra and Shobha Kapoor together got felicitated and a sweet moment was shared between them

• Rupali Ganguly, Bharti Singh, Krushna Abhishek, Ankita Lokhande, Deepika Singh and many more biggies under one roof

• Vivian Dsena and Karanveer Mehra bonding on the red-carpet after the show.

• The Laughter Chefs star contestants sharing a winning moment with their awards at the red carpet.

• Shivangi Joshi recevieng her award and speaking on Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai.

• Karan Kundrra doing his boyfriend duty by collecting the award for ladylove Tejasswi Prakash and for himself.

• Akanksha Puri stunning the paps with her jaw-dropping look

• Arti Singh and Krushna Abhishek sharing the most beautiful sibling bond while the latter won and was handed over his winning moment by his sister

• Bharti Singh’s winning speech had everyone smiling.

• Deepika Singh ever grateful to win her second Indian Telly Award.

• The entire cast of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai having a lovely moment on stage.

• Team DKP along with the cast of Anupamaa and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai enjoying a family moment on stage.

• Veteran actor Jeetendra presenting the award to wife Shobha Kapoor, creating a timeless moment.

• Krushal Ahuja and Hiba Nawab dazzle together on the red carpet at the Indian Telly Awards 2025.

• Exclusive, star-studded after-party for VIP guests

• Asit Modi beams with pride after winning for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah at the Indian Telly Awards 2025.

• Dilip Joshi wins hearts and honours once again for his iconic role as Jethalal at the Indian Telly Awards 2025. • JD Majethia bags top honours, celebrating his contribution to Indian television comedy at the 2025 Telly Awards.
Other Celebrities hobnobbing with each other from the likes of Romit Raj, Eijaz Khan, Gauri Tonk, Hunar Hali, Sudhandhu Pandey, Shiv Thakre, Sarita Joshi, Dilip Joshi, and Shubhangi Atre to Tanuj Virwani, Nivedita Basu, Avinash Mishra, Khanzadi, Priyamvada Kant and many more.

July 26, 2025
Richard Gere opens up to Wion in rare and powerful new interview

MUMBAI: In a world short on substance and long on noise, leave it to Richard Gere to centre the conversation, not on celebrity, but on compassion. The global film icon sits down with Wion for an unmissable interview airing this Saturday, 26 july at 7:30 pm IST, with repeat telecasts on Sunday, 27 July at 8:00 AM and 2:30 pm IST. Forget red carpets and glitzy premieres. This one’s about red robes, resistance, and the resilience of a people. Gere opens up to Wion’s Molly Gambhir in a conversation that spans decades of spiritual discovery, activism for Tibet, and the moral compass that’s kept him grounded in the midst of stardom.

From his first encounter with His Holiness the Dalai Lama to championing Tibetan freedom on the world stage, Gere’s words are a masterclass in mindful living. “Spirituality isn’t something you wear, it’s how you move through the world,” he reflects in the episode, part of Wion’s signature series The Interview.

He reminisces about monsoon evenings in Tibetan homes and dives into personal stories rarely shared of navigating Hollywood with intent, of standing firm in his beliefs when it wasn’t fashionable, and of advocating for truth even when it came at a cost.

The special also serves as a deeper call to action. “In an age of distraction, we need moral clarity,” says Wion managing editor Rabin Sharma. “This isn’t just an interview. It’s a mirror held up to a world in flux and Gere’s voice cuts through the clutter with startling grace and honesty.”

As the conversation shifts from spiritual identity to global solidarity, Gere champions the voices of those often ignored. His compassion doesn’t preach, it pulses with authenticity. Whether you’re tuning in for his thoughts on Tibetan freedom or just seeking a rare moment of calm wisdom, this is one interview you won’t want to miss.

Catch Richard Gere: Unfiltered on Wion this weekend. Because sometimes, it takes a silver fox to deliver golden truths.

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July 26, 2025
TV Today buys Romesh Films for Rs 200 crore to acquire Noida property

MUMBAI: In a deal that’s more location than storyline, TV Today Network has greenlit a blockbuster acquisition not of a production house with a hit filmography, but of a shell company sitting on prime land. At its board meeting on 25 July, the India Today Group-owned broadcaster approved the Rs 200 crore acquisition of Romesh Films Private Limited, a company with zero revenue, a modest net worth of Rs 5.93 crore, and one marquee asset: an immovable property in Noida. The company posted a profit after tax of Rs 2.82 crore in FY25 despite no turnover, a neat little plot twist that reflects its sole function as a property holder.

Rather than purchase the property outright, TV Today has opted to buy 100 per cent equity 4,65,010 shares of face value Rs 100 each of Romesh Films from existing shareholders. The deal excludes any net assets other than the land and building and is subject to due diligence, stamp duty, registration charges, and other transfer-related costs.

Once completed, Romesh Films will become a wholly owned subsidiary of TV Today Network. The company says the acquisition will aid operational convenience and support long-term expansion, given its proximity to the group’s corporate office in Noida.

TV Today Network reported revenue from operations of Rs 197.19 crore for the quarter ended June 2025, navigating a quarter of industry-wide recalibration following last year’s election-related ad spike. Profit from continuing operations stood at Rs 7.39 crore, while the company posted a net profit of Rs 7.35 crore for the period, reflecting a stable performance in a non-election cycle.

The radio business now treated as a discontinued operation dragged further, reporting a loss before tax of Rs 0.05 crore, contributing to a cumulative drag of Rs 7.89 crore for FY25.

But the company isn’t tuning out yet. In February, it signed an MoU to sell its three radio stations in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata (104.8 FM) for Rs 20 crore. The transaction, pending MIB approvals, will be routed through its wholly owned subsidiary, Vibgyor Broadcasting.

The net result? A strategic shift from frequencies to fixed assets, with an eye on solid ground even if it comes with no script.

July 26, 2025
Shemaroo posts Rs 45.8 crore Q1 loss as revenue and margins dip sharply

MUMBAI: Drama, but no dividends Shemaroo’s first quarter script writes itself into the red. The veteran media and entertainment company reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 45.8 crore for Q1 FY25, ballooning from Rs 17.2 crore in the same quarter last year. Even standalone losses were sharper, at Rs 46.9 crore versus Rs 17.5 crore year-on-year. Despite total income standing at Rs 143.2 crore, a steep rise in expenses especially operational and employee-related pushed the firm into deeper losses.

Revenue from operations dropped 9.6 per cent year-on-year to Rs 139.5 crore (from Rs 154.4 crore), and sank over 31.7 per cent from Rs 204.3 crore in the previous quarter (Q4 FY24). Employee costs rose marginally to Rs 31.2 crore, while operational costs climbed significantly to Rs 152.3 crore, overtaking revenue altogether.

Shemaroo’s loss before tax stood at Rs 60.9 crore for the quarter, compared to Rs 22.8 crore in Q1 FY24. The company’s total comprehensive loss now stands at Rs 45.8 crore for Q1 FY25, compared to Rs 17.2 crore a year earlier and Rs 5.1 crore last quarter.

The board, however, remained busy beyond the balance sheet. It approved the reappointment of three top Shemaroo executives Raman Maroo as managing director, Atul Maroo as Joint MD, and Hiren Gada as CEO for another three-year term beginning January 2026. Additionally, Namrata Shinde was appointed compliance officer, effective immediately.

But the real plot twist comes from the GST front. The company is entangled in a legal showdown after the GST department demanded recovery of inadmissible input tax credit (ITC) of Rs 70.3 crore, interest, and penalties totalling a staggering Rs 133.6 crore each on the Joint MD, CEO, and CFO. Shemaroo has challenged the order in the Bombay High Court and secured an interim stay on proceedings.

In another strategic move, the company plans to transfer the broadcasting license of Mango TV to Mango Mass Media Pvt Ltd for at least Rs 25 lakh, subject to MIB approval.

From VHS tapes to digital platforms, Shemaroo has seen the industry’s highs and lows. But if Q1 FY25 is any indicator, the road ahead might call for some tight editing and serious plot development both financial and regulatory.

July 25, 2025
Spot The Scam: NDTV Profit’s new series digs deep

MUMBAI: Every investor, who has faith in the India growth story, wants to believe the market is fair; it is safe. But behind the flashing tickers and shiny promises, there are shadows – scamsters waiting to exploit trust and ambition of a new India.

NDTV Profit chose not to look away. It chose to light up those hidden corners and show viewers what really lies beneath. That is how Spot the Scam was born – a promise to watch over the markets, cut through its noise and stand by those who trade in good faith.

The very first investigation showed why this matters. In Delhi, a firm called Trade Dost boldly placed a full front‑page ad in a leading Hindi daily on July 13, offering intraday margins of 500 times, carry‑forward margins of 60 times, zero brokerage, instant deposits and withdrawals, and trading accounts without any paperwork. None of it had SEBI approval.

NDTV Profit’s intrepid reporters followed the trail and exposed the truth. Within days, the National Stock Exchange warned investors to stay away from Trade Dost and others like it. Soon after, the Securities and Exchange Board of India sent a formal notice to the newspaper that carried the illegal ad.

NDTV Profit managing editor, Tamanna Inamdar summed it up, “As more investors put their faith in India’s markets, scamsters are finding new tricks – AI, phishing, ever sharper tactics. Our job is not just to report, but to reveal. We will keep exposing, keep educating, and keep standing with those who invest with trust.”

July 25, 2025
Aayush Ailawadi joins NDTV as editor – technology & AI

NEW DELHI: One of India’s most recognisable voices in tech and AI journalism, Aayush Ailawadi, has joined NDTV as editor – technology & AI, adding another marquee name to the broadcaster’s expanding digital-first arsenal.

Ailawadi made the announcement with characteristic flair, calling NDTV his “ultimate playground” and teasing followers to expect “maximum screens, maximum geek-outs and more surprises.”

With a career that spans BloombergQuint, India Today, CNBC-TV18, and even All India Radio, Ailawadi is known for making tech talk relatable and fun — whether it’s AI, gadgets, fintech or cybersecurity. His current podcast, Let’s Tech About It, co-produced between LA and Mumbai, has built a loyal community of enthusiasts.

Before this, he served as consulting editor at the RP Sanjiv Goenka Group and was technology editor and anchor at India Today, where he became a staple for millennial viewers tuning in for smart, jargon-free commentary.

In his freelance avatar, Ailawadi has also lent his voice to Discovery, Netflix (Bad Boy Billionaires), and dozens of corporate films — all while doubling up as a scriptwriter, strategist and voiceover artist.

His appointment underscores NDTV’s clear push into the tech vertical — aiming not just to inform, but to entertain, engage and, most of all, translate the complex for India’s growing digital citizenry.

July 25, 2025
Balaji Telefilms’ matriarch Shobha Kapoor finally gets her due at Indian Telly Awards

MUMBAI: It was a night to remember at the 25th edition of Indiantelevision.com and TellyChakkar.com’s Indian Telly Awards, as Balaji Telefilms’ managing director Shobha Kapoor was finally recognised for her silent yet towering contribution to the Indian television industry.

In a long-overdue move, the editorial board of the Indiantelevision.com group conferred her with the Ramanand Sagar Lifetime Contribution Award — a decision taken after much deliberation and unanimous agreement.

The emotional high point came when her husband, veteran actor Jeetendra Kapoor, took to the stage at JW Marriott, Mumbai, to receive the award from Indian Telly Awards founder Anil Wanvari. But instead of keeping it, he stepped down from the stage and handed the trophy to Shobhaji, who was seated in the front row — triggering a wave of thunderous applause and emotion across the ballroom.

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What followed was a heartfelt video message from daughter Ekta Kapoor, currently in the US: “Mom, you deserve all the awards we’ve ever got. Balaji is nothing without you. I am nothing without you. You’ve always worked behind the scenes, never seeking credit. Today, finally, someone has given it to you..”

Trying hard to hold back tears, Shobhaji accepted the tribute with poise and composure. “It was an evening to remember! I’m honoured to have received this award and specially from my husband who has been my biggest support throughout the 30 years of my career! Above all my daughter and partner Ekta kapoor who has been and is the driving force ! Thank youu Indian telly awards ?,” said Shobhaji.

“Shobhaji has been Balaji’s rock — in its highest highs and darkest lows,” said Wanvari. “She allowed Ekta to blossom as a creative force, while herself building the operational backbone of the company. Together, they’ve created a powerhouse that has trained and mentored scores of television professionals across the industry.”

He added, “Ekta has been showered with accolades over the years. It was time Shobhaji, one of Indian TV’s real heroes, received her moment in the spotlight.”

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July 25, 2025
NDTV India’s Bharat Srivastava joins India Today Group

MUMBAI: Bharat Srivastava, who recently moved on from NDTV India, has joined India Today Group. This is his second stint with the group.

Bharat Srivastava was Executive Producer at NDTV India. He had started his tenure at the channel around 20 days ago.

Srivastava was with DD News before joining NDTV India, and prior to that he was with AajTak for nearly three years.

Srivastava has also been associated with News18 between 2017 and 2020. Between 2020 and 2022, he was leading a prime-time show at Zee News.

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July 23, 2025