Category: Fiction

  • Sanjay Subashchandran takes charge as chief operating officer at Vision Time and TrendLoud

    Sanjay Subashchandran takes charge as chief operating officer at Vision Time and TrendLoud

    CHENNAI:  Media and entertainment executive Sanjay Subashchandran has been named chief operating officer of Vision Time India and TrendLoud Digital India, bolstering his already deep involvement with the south Indian content and events scene.

    The dual appointment formalises a remit he has long straddled. At TrendLoud, where he has served as COO since 2020, Subashchandran built a creator economy powerhouse—launching 15 digital channels, producing 23 web series for major OTT platforms and locking in more than 1,000 influencer partnerships.

    A co-founder of TrendLoud in 2015, he previously headed the business for five and a half years, managing media activity for over 80 production houses and delivering 12,000 hours of television content across the south.

    Subashchandran has kept a parallel grip on Vision Time since 2013 as all-India head of media, marketing and content, where he strengthened channel management, drove revenue through strategic partnerships and created Singoo Candy Rush, an interactive children’s property.

    He is also director of the digital-promotion start-up PickMySlot and co-founder of Maximise Entertainment, an events outfit that has staged large-scale celebrity concerts and brokered endorsements for stars from A.R. Rahman to Vijay Sethupathi. Earlier, he ran VisionPro Event Management for 15 years, producing advertiser-funded shows and spectacles such as PepsiCo’s Ooh La La La music talent hunt judged by Rahman.

    With more than two decades in marketing, events and digital content, Subashchandran now consolidates his influence across Vision Time’s broadcast operations and TrendLoud’s fast-growing digital network.

  • Prem Sagar, veteran cinematographer and TV pioneer, passes on  at 81

    Prem Sagar, veteran cinematographer and TV pioneer, passes on at 81

    MUMBAI: Prem Sagar, veteran producer, cinematographer and director, passed on at his Mumbai home on 31 August. He was 81. His son, producer Shiv Sagar, said: “With him, an entire era has gone.”

    Diagnosed with colon cancer a month ago, Sagar returned from hospital on 30 August and passed away peacefully a day later, coinciding with the Ganesh festival and Radha Ashtami. An alumnus of FTII Pune’s 1968 batch, he was a gold medallist for academics and a silver medallist for best student film photography.

    The son of legendary filmmaker Ramanand Sagar, he began with cinema—shooting and directing films with Jeetendra and Hema Malini—before pivoting to television. He launched Sagar Arts’ TV wing with Vikram Aur Betaal, a precursor to the cultural juggernaut Ramayan (1987), later followed by Shri Krishna. He also served as marketing director, travelling the globe to promote the company’s shows.

    Known for his technical originality and embrace of new technology, Sagar continued to stay engaged, even visiting the sets of Kamdhenu Gamata on Star Bharat shortly before his death. Shiv Sagar described him as “a guru, a storyteller, and a visionary who blended humour, patience and spirituality into his craft.”

    A prayer meet will be held in Mumbai on 3 September.

  • Brazil’s Visom Digital and India’s Karman Unlimited partner on drama Love is a Stranger

    Brazil’s Visom Digital and India’s Karman Unlimited partner on drama Love is a Stranger

    MUMBAI:  The Ripple Effect has brokered a cross-continental partnership between Brazil’s Visom Digital and India’s Karman Unlimited to adapt the acclaimed Brazilian drama Love is a Stranger for the Indian market. The latter has optioned the series from Visom Digital. 

    The series, created by Ingrid Zavarezzi and Carlos de Andrade, centres on Vânia Jardim, a Rio police officer investigating domestic violence cases while battling her own trauma. . Inspired by true stories, the series intertwines real cases ofdomestic violence with Vânia’s   battle against a ruthless media campaign led by digital influencer Branca Lemos. Ultimately, the narrative transcends crime drama to deliver a socially impactful message about resilience, justice, and hope.

    Originally airing on AXN Brazil since 2024, it drew praise for its raw realism and won the lead Juliana Knust a Golden Panda Award nomination. A wider rollout on Record TV is due in late 2025.

    “Love is a Stranger is more than a police drama—it is a call to action against gender-based violence,” said The Ripple Effect executive vice-president Viviana Hadid.

    Carlos de Andrade of Visom Digital called the story “a responsibility to shine light on issues society too often ignores”, while Karman Unlimited chief executive Sunita Uchil said the remake would reaffirm “the power of entertainment to inspire awareness and change.”

    The Indian version is in early development, with further international adaptations expected across Latin America.

  • Balaji Telefilms’ matriarch Shobha Kapoor finally gets her due at Indian Telly Awards

    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.

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by TCX.official (@tellychakkar)

    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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  • Veteran producer-director  Dheeraj kumar, Creative Eye founder, passes away at 79

    Veteran producer-director Dheeraj kumar, Creative Eye founder, passes away at 79

    MUMBAI: Mumbai is grieving the loss of veteran producer-actor Dheeraj Kumar Kochhar, founder of Bombay Stock Exchange-listed Creative Eye, who passed away this morning at the age of 79. Kumar was admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital on Saturday following a severe bout of fever, cold, and cough, which was later diagnosed as acute pneumonia.

    Despite intensive treatment and ventilator support in the intensive care unit, his condition remained unresponsive. He breathed his last on the morning of 15 July following cardiac arrest. Tellychakkar, a sister publication, confirmed his passing while under close medical supervision.

    A graduate of the Film & Television Institute Pune, Kumar’s career spanned decades, seeing him carve a formidable reputation as a top producer for both Doordarshan and private satellite television channels. He also graced the silver screen, acting in numerous films.

    His prolific production house, Creative Eye, was behind a vast array of popular television shows, including the likes of Kahan Gaye Who Log, Adalat, Sansaar,  the iconic Om Namah Shivay, Dhoop Chaon, Shree Ganesh, Jaane Anjaane, Om Namo Narayan, Ruby Duby Hub Dub, Miilee, Jodi Kamaal Ki, Betiyann, Hamari Bahu Tulsi, and Ishq Subhan Allah, among many others. As an actor, his filmography included Painter Babu, Darling Darling, Kranti, Heera Panna, Raaton Ka Raja and Shreeman Shrimati.

    Kumar’s last rites are scheduled for Wednesday at the Pawan Hans Crematorium. He is survived by his wife, Zuby Kochhar, who serves as a whole-time director in Creative Eye. 

    His passing marks the end of an era for Indian cinema and television.

  • Cake adds some icing with Anna Pokorska as sales manager

    Cake adds some icing with Anna Pokorska as sales manager

    MUMBAI: Cake, the London-based kids’ content powerhouse, has appointed Anna Pokorska as sales manager, handing her the reins to key territories across Europe and beyond. Pokorska will be baking up international sales across Italy, Benelux, Central and Eastern Europe, Greece, Turkey and Israel for Cake’s hit slate—including Angry Birds, Total Drama Island, Lucas the Spider, Talking Tom Heroes: Suddenly Super and Armorsaurs.

    Reporting to Cake managing director of distribution Dominic Gardiner, Pokorska joins with a deep track record in animation, kids’ content and feature film distribution. She’s worn several high-level hats—SVP of sales at GFM Animation, global distribution lead at Wizart Animation, regional boss at Interfilm for Warner Bros., and casting lead at HBO CIS. Lately, she’s been consulting for MK2 Films and producing both animated and documentary projects.

    “We’re excited to have Anna join the team at Cake . Her experience in animation and strong industry relationships make her a great fit as we continue to grow our global reach,” said Gardiner.

    Pokorska said, “I’m thrilled to be joining the company I’ve admired for as long as I can remember—a true pioneer in kids’ entertainment. It’s an honour to contribute to Cake’s continued growth and help its fantastic shows reach new audiences around the world.”

    As Cake dishes up hits to kids across continents, Pokorska’s appointment adds more firepower to its global growth recipe.

  • EndemolShine India dives into branded entertainment, teams up with Mediascope

    EndemolShine India dives into branded entertainment, teams up with Mediascope

    MUMBAI: EndemolShine India, the content behemoth under Banijay Entertainment, is stepping into the branded entertainment arena, forging a strategic partnership with marketing agency Mediascope. This move is all about turning brand integration and advertiser-funded programming (AFP) into must-watch storytelling.

    In a world where brands crave authentic connections, EndemolShine India’s creative might meets Mediascope’s brand partnership expertise to build content that isn’t just about visibility — it’s about narrative. Branded entertainment will now be baked into original IPs, creating stories where brands play leading roles.

    Banijay Asia & EndemolShine India group chief operating officer Rishi Negi (pictured above) summed it up: “As the media landscape evolves, brands are seeking more organic, immersive ways to connect with audiences. Branded entertainment sits at the intersection of storytelling and strategy — and that’s where we thrive. With our strong creative engine and Mediascope’s expertise in brand partnerships, we’re excited to build a powerful branded content ecosystem in India.”

    EndemolShine India  EVP & head of content strategy Trevellyn Fynn added: “Branded entertainment allows us to design narratives that audiences choose to engage with while giving brands a compelling, purposeful role in the story. With this partnership, we’re bringing together strategic thinking and creative ambition to tell stories for and with brands in India.”

    For Mediascope, the partnership is a chance to harness EndemolShine’s storytelling prowess. Mediascope CEO & founder Marzban Patel noted:  “Branded entertainment lies at the heart of how brands build emotional resonance in the current media landscape. This isn’t just about visibility; it’s about creating stories that audiences genuinely seek out, where the brand plays a meaningful and lasting role in the narrative. EndemolShine India brings world-class storytelling and scale, and at Mediascope, we see this as a powerful opportunity to help Indian brands forge deeper, more nuanced connections with audiences.”

    The tie-up also syncs with Banijay Entertainment’s global push in branded entertainment, fuelled by its Banijay Branded Entertainment (BBE) division, which is already crafting brand-led content across markets. Expect a slate of original branded IPs from this powerhouse duo, blurring the line between storytelling and strategy.

  • Vinay Kalia takes centre stage at Fremantle, joins as head production

    Vinay Kalia takes centre stage at Fremantle, joins as head production

    MUMBAI: Vinay Baldev Kalia, a production heavyweight with nearly three decades of experience, is back in the Fremantle fold, taking on the role of head of production for India. After a brief stint as a freelance production executive, Kalia has returned to the very place where he previously held the same title, promising to bring his production skills to the forefront.

    Kalia’s career reads like a who’s who of Indian television, with stints at Balaji Telefilms, Miditech, Optimystix Entertainment, and, of course, Fremantle itself. He’s been the production maestro behind some of India’s biggest shows, including Indian Idol, Fame Gurukul, and numerous daily soaps that have kept viewers glued to their screens.

    His LinkedIn profile is a testament to his extensive skill set, boasting expertise in everything from project coordination and financial planning to team building and vendor management. With a track record that spans both fiction and non-fiction, Kalia is a seasoned pro in the cut-throat world of Indian television production.

  • Verun Baabar elevated to  VP – production and operations at Balaji Telefilms

    Verun Baabar elevated to VP – production and operations at Balaji Telefilms

    MUMBAI: Verun Baabar has been appointed vice president – production and operations at Balaji Telefilms  effective immediately. The board, acting on the recommendation of the nomination and remuneration committee, gave its nod on 11 April.

    Baabar, a media and entertainment industry veteran, has spent 12 years at the Balaji group, where he played a pivotal role in shaping productions. With over 16 years of experience under his belt, he now steps into a new spotlight.

    A graduate of DAV College, Punjab University, Baabar is set to bring his production prowess and operational acumen to his latest role. Expect action, drama, and plenty of behind-the-scenes magic as he takes charge.

  • Fremantle unveils Imaginae Studios, an AI-powered creative label

    Fremantle unveils Imaginae Studios, an AI-powered creative label

    MUMBAI:  Fremantle has launched Imaginae Studios, a dedicated label focused on harnessing the full potential of artificial intelligence for creative content production. Led by Andrea Scrosati, group chief operating officer and CEO europe, the studio aims to provide creators with cutting-edge AI tools, fostering a space for experimentation and innovation in storytelling.

    “Our mission is to empower creatives with the best tools and support to deliver compelling content globally,” Scrosati stated. “AI presents unprecedented opportunities to transform ideas into diverse media, including visuals, video, sound, and art. Imaginae Studios will serve as a dynamic bridge between human creativity and advanced technology, cultivating an environment where innovation and experimentation thrive.”

    Imaginae Studios will operate as an independent entity, staffed by a specialised team of creatives passionate about pushing the boundaries of storytelling through AI. This team will explore a wide array of AI-driven solutions, developing new methods for content creation across various platforms. The studio’s focus will extend beyond mere technological application, emphasising the crucial role of human creative direction in shaping AI-generated content.

    The label’s operations will adhere to stringent intellectual property and compliance standards, ensuring ethical and legal considerations are prioritised.

     Imaginae Studios is poised to explore the intersection of AI and human creativity, aiming to revolutionise the production of media and entertainment. This initiative signals Fremantle’s commitment to investing in future-forward technologies and supporting the evolution of creative storytelling in the digital age. It intends to use AI to enhance all parts of the production process, and push the boundaries of current creative limitations.