ITV

Category: GECs

  • COLORS presents ‘Durga,’ premiering on 16 September

    COLORS presents ‘Durga,’ premiering on 16 September

    Mumbai: When societal divides try to limit a dreamer’s spirit, ‘Mujhe haq hai…’ becomes the cry that breaks societal chains and reclaims the right to rise. COLORS presents ‘Durga,’ a story about a tribal girl challenging societal norms to pursue a medical career and her love for royal heir Anurag, while facing opposition from powerful tribal woman Paani Bai. Starring Pranali Rathod as Durga, Indira Krishnan as Paani Bai, and Aashay Mishra as Anurag, and produced by Magic Moments Motion Pictures, ‘Durga’ premieres on 16 September, airing daily at 7:40 pm on COLORS.

    Set in Jodhpur, the story follows Durga, a tribal girl aspiring to become a doctor. Her goal is to heal not only bodies but also societal divides, bringing hope to her community. Despite being born into a world where paths seem predetermined, Durga is determined to challenge the discrimination faced by her community. She finds unexpected support in Anurag, a royal heir, who becomes her ally. Meanwhile, Paani Bai, a tribal leader, stands as an obstacle, defending the status quo. The show explores Durga’s fight to challenge tradition and create justice and opportunities for all.

    Talking about essaying the titular role, Pranali Rathod said, “I am extremely honoured that Leena Ji, Saibal Da and the channel offered me such a strong and multi-layered role. It is special to me because Durga is a force to be reckoned with, named after the fierce goddess we all look up to. The character of Durga is that of a vigorous Kabile girl whose emotions and struggles, every lady or girl would resonate with. It takes a lot to topple the generations of discrimination and centuries of social divide. She refuses to let any of that define her worth. Her battle is for her identity, her place in a world determined to hold her back. Durga’s fight isn’t just about her. It’s about showing the world that where you come from doesn’t decide where you can go. When people watch Durga’s story, I hope they see a bit of themselves in her. I want them to feel that spark, that voice inside that says ‘Mujhe haq hai.”

    Excited to essay the role of Paani Bai, Indira Krishnan said, “Paani Bai is a character who is deeply rooted in tradition, committed to preserving Rajgharana’s  honor no matter the cost. For my character, upholding the rules of the past is her way of maintaining control in a world that’s constantly shifting. She stands firm against Durga who dares to believe they can rise above their birth and station—after all, in her mind, sona sona rahega, mitti mitti rahegi.”

    Sharing his thoughts about portraying Anurag, Aashay Mishra said, “Anurag is a man caught in the crossfire of two very different worlds—the weight of his royal lineage and the call of his heart. His love for Durga runs deep, and so does his commitment to supporting her dream of uplifting her community. They share moments of passion, but face huge challenges, especially with Paani Bai’s opposition. For Anurag, it’s a constant battle to reconcile his love for Durga with the expectations placed upon him. It will mean the world to me if this show inspires people to follow their dreams.”

    Along with Pranali Rathod and Aashay Mishra, COLORS’s ‘Durga’ also stars Karam Veer, Rishi Kaushik, Heera Mishra, Akshaan Sherawat, Jassjeet, Sachin Verma, Digvijay Purohit, Jaya Binju, Krishna Soni, Aditi Asija, Soumendra Bhattacharya in other prominent roles.

  • Sony SAB’s ‘Wagle Ki Duniya’ & ‘Pushpa Impossible’ to air longer episodes

    Sony SAB’s ‘Wagle Ki Duniya’ & ‘Pushpa Impossible’ to air longer episodes

    Mumbai: This festive season, Sony SAB will offer extended episodes of its popular family shows Wagle Ki Duniya – Nayi Peedhi, Naye Kissey and Pushpa Impossible. Starting 9 September, viewers can enjoy these fan-favorite shows for an extended 90 minutes, from 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm, Monday to Saturday.

    Featuring Sumeet Raghavan’s endearing portrayal of Rajesh Wagle, the quintessential middle-class family man, and Karuna Pandey’s powerful performance as Pushpa, these longer episodes promise more of the stories and characters that have captured hearts across India. With new characters and fresh plot twists, fans can expect more drama, tender family moments, and emotional depth—perfect for the festive spirit that brings loved ones together.

    Raghavan said, “It is the perfect time to celebrate the spirit of family and the small joys of life as we gear up for longer episodes and new characters in the show. The fact that this is happening while ushering in the festive season makes it even more special. I am certain the upcoming episodes will fill our viewers home with more warmth, laughter, and love and hopeful that the audience will enjoy spending more time with the Wagle family.”

    Karuna Pandey, who plays the role of Pushpa in Pushpa Impossible, said, “Ganpati Bappa has always been a symbol of new beginnings and overcoming challenges, and this year, we are celebrating with even more joy on the sets of Pushpa Impossible. As we welcome Ganpati with open hearts, we are also excited to announce that our viewers will get to see us more time on television as the show will be on air for a longer duration. I hope this will allow more viewers to connect with Pushpa’s journey and her family to celebrate the strength and the bond of family, just as we do in the festive season.”

    Starting 9 September, tune in to Sony SAB’s Wagle Ki Duniya – Nayi Peedhi Naye Kissey at 9:00 pm and Pushpa Impossible at 9:35 pm every Monday to Saturday.

  • Reliance-Viacom18-Disney merger gets NCLT nod too

    Reliance-Viacom18-Disney merger gets NCLT nod too

    MUMBAI: Even as media watchers await the detailed order of the Competition Commission of India, (CCI) another hurdle has been cleared by Reliance Industries relating to the merger of Viacom18 and Disney Star India – that of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

    It was on Friday that the NCLT gave it the green signal. Judicial member Kishore Vemulapalli and technical member Anu Jagmohan Singh gave the thumbs up to what will become India’s leading media conglomerate valued at over Rs 70,000 crore.

    Reliance owns a clutch of channels including the Colors and Sports 18 brands through its offshoot Viacom18 as well as the OTT platform JioCinema. It is seeking to merge these into Star India creating a giant merged combined entity.

    The NCLT has directed the companies to get ministry of information and broadcasting approval before resorting to any such transfer of channels. 

    Additionally, it has directed the firms to file the NCLT order and the approved scheme with  the registrar of companies within 30 days as well as approach the superintendent of stamps for stamp duty adjudication, if applicable, within 60 days.

  • DesiPlay TV launches on Rakuten TV

    DesiPlay TV launches on Rakuten TV

    Mumbai: DesiPlay TV, Viacom18’s FAST channel featuring premium Hindi content, has announced its exciting launch on Rakuten TV in the United Kingdom and across Europe in Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland.

    IndiaCast Media, the content monetisation arm of TV18 and Viacom18, is expanding DesiPlay TV’s global reach, allowing audiences greater access to popular content from India. DesiPlay TV’s recent launch on Pluto TV in the UK and Europe, followed by its addition to Rakuten TV, highlights IndiaCast Media’s dedication to bringing entertainment to viewers worldwide. DesiPlay TV is now available on major FAST platforms such as Sling, Plex, Pluto TV, Shahid, YuppTV, and Rakuten TV, covering the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

    “We are thrilled to announce the launch of DesiPlay TV on Rakuten TV, further solidifying our position as the number one provider of premium Hindi content for audiences worldwide,” said IndiaCast Media Distribution Pvt Ltd executive vice president and head of international business, Govind Shahi. “This strategic partnership allows us to reach a wider audience across the UK & Europe and cater to the growing demand for high-quality Hindi entertainment. With DesiPlay TV now available on Rakuten TV, more viewers can explore a world of captivating stories and unforgettable characters, that too in HD quality with English subtitles!”

    DesiPlay TV offers a curated collection of Hindi television shows and Bollywood movies, catering to a variety of tastes. Whether you’re interested in the drama of daily soaps like ‘Uttaran,’ ‘Na Aana Is Des Laado,’ ‘Tu Aashiqui,’ ‘Sanskaar: Dharohar Apnon Ki,’ the suspense of crime thrillers like ‘Code Red,’ cooking competitions on ‘Kitchen Champion,’ or Bollywood films featuring actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Madhuri Dixit, Aishwarya Rai, and Katrina Kaif, DesiPlay TV provides a diverse range of content.

  • Harsha Razdan’s reaction on Reliance-Disney merger!

    Harsha Razdan’s reaction on Reliance-Disney merger!

    Mumbai: The CCI’s approval of the Reliance-Disney merger is a game-changer for India’s media industry. We’re witnessing the creation of the largest media conglomerate in the country, with a staggering valuation of $8.5 billion. This merger is set to command around 40-45 per cent of the TV market and 30-35 per cent of the digital space – a scale that’s unprecedented.

    From an advertiser’s perspective, this isn’t just consolidation; it’s a strategic realignment of the industry’s landscape. With Reliance’s distribution prowess and Disney’s rich content portfolio, we’re likely to see more streamlined operations and possibly even reduced subscription costs for consumers due to improved efficiencies. Advertisers now have a one-stop shop for everything from Hindi and regional entertainment to sports, music, and international content.

    However, with this scale comes the inevitable power to influence market dynamics, including pricing. The control over 80 per cent of India’s cricket broadcasting alone speaks volumes. While some may worry about rising ad rates, this is an opportunity for smarter, more targeted ad spends and a unique chance to integrate marketing plans across TV and digital platforms for greater impact and efficiency. The sheer reach and diversity of this new entity mean that advertisers can now connect with audiences on an even larger scale, across multiple platforms.

    Our industry must adapt by focusing on creativity and consumer-centric strategies to navigate these changes. As this giant takes form, let’s ensure that we leverage its strengths to continue delivering value-driven, impactful solutions. After all, in the world of advertising, the only constant is change, and this merger is simply the opportunity to ride the next big wave.

  • The Reliance-Disney merger’s impact on the media ecosystem: an Elara perspective

    The Reliance-Disney merger’s impact on the media ecosystem: an Elara perspective

    MUMBAI: We believe the merger of Viacom18 and Star India will have a big impact on the entire M&E ecosystem as the combined entity will command a huge market share. The merger will create a large media juggernaut with 108 plus channels (Star India has 70+ TV channels in eight languages whereas Viacom has 38 TV channels in eight languages), two large OTT apps (Jio Cinema and Hotstar) and two film studios (one each of Reliance and Disney India). Large market opportunity (TAM) for the merged company, as India’s M&E market for print, TV and digital is at $18 billion in CY22, poised to post a CAGR of 8.2 per cent  over CY22-25 (Source: EY FICCI).

    Post the merger, the combined entity will command a TV advertisement/TV subscription (excluding distributors/DTH/MSO revenue)/Total TV market share of 40 per cent /44 per cent /42 per cent  (as of FY23) respectively. The merged entity is expected to command a digital OTT market share of ~34 per cent  in CY23, while the TV viewership share in top 10 channels (according to BARC) is ~40 per cent  as of CY23. The consolidation between RIL and Disney on the India TV side could have a negative impact on other linear TV broadcasters, such as Sun TV, Zee, Sony, and others, as they may not be scale up on market share. The merged entity’s focus on maximizing market share through increased investments in content, synergies, and enhanced marketing power poses challenges for individual broadcasters to compete and grow. With a large customer base across various genres, including regional genres and urban GEC, the combined entity aims to dominate key markets, potentially leading to market share loss and challenges for other players, including the possibility of smaller channels shutting down.

    Jio Cinema + Disney Hotstar merger – potential negative for global OTT giants

    The merger of JioCinema and Hotstar poses a challenge for global OTT platforms, as India’s market values bundling and is price sensitive. The combined entity can offer a comprehensive package including web series, movies, sports, originals, and a global catalogue. This bundled premium plan, possibly in collaboration with Jio’s large subscriber base, may hinder the ability of global OTT platforms to raise Average Revenue Per User (ARPU).

    Better prospects of profitability in the medium to long term

    The merger may result in improved profitability for the combined entity as there may be a reduction in employee cost, production cost and marketing costs on the TV side and content costs, particularly on the OTT side, which could contribute to a more sustainable path to profitability over the medium to long term. Currently, both platforms are facing heavy losses due to high content costs, and Jio Cinema relies solely on AVOD without significant paid subscriber revenue. With the combination of Hotstar and JioCinema, the merged entity can enhance its subscription revenue by increasing subscription prices and attracting a larger subscriber base. Reliance may drive the entire business through Jio Platforms, with a significant influx of ad revenues in digital advertising. The digital advertising market, being a winner-takes-all business, heavily relies on scale. They may also have a pay-based mechanism via Jio Cinema/Hotstar at a larger scale which will propel healthy subscription revenue over the medium term

    Monopoly in sports properties may lead to higher ad revenues

    On the sports front, the merged entity is set to become monopolistic, with Disney and Jio collectively controlling approximately ~75-80 per cent  of the Indian sports market across both linear TV and digital platforms. This dominance in sports, primarily cricket, positions them to command a substantial share of the overall ad market, showcasing strong growth in an industry where sports is a key driver of viewership on both linear TV and digital platforms. In CY22, sports adex (TV+Digital) in India stood at  Rs 71billion (according to GroupM) out of which Disney India had a contribution of ~80 per cent . The combined entity will have lucrative sports properties like Indian Premier League (both TV and digital), ICC cricket tournaments (both TV and digital), Wimbledon, Pro Kabaddi League, BCCI domestic cricket etc.

    Telco customer retention and bundling

    Telecom companies have used OTT as a value-add to retain/gain subscribers. And OTT companies piggyback on telecom plays to scale up their subscriber base – TSPs (telecom service providers) have larger access to a wide variety of customers. With the vast content library of Jio and Disney, the merged entity’s content, spanning 1) international movies, 2) web series, 3) sports content and 4) catch-up TV content, could prove advantageous for Jio subscribers and make it a one-stop content hub. There might be initiatives such as a Jio Prime offering, providing subscribers access to content at an affordable or even free price through last mile resource and 5G wireless access. The company will have a big advantage of last mile with Jio having a subscriber base of more than 450 million smartphone users This will hit Bharti Airtel as it has tried to tie up with OTT players in the content ecosystem to offer value-add. Thus, Bharti Airtel may have to invest heavily in own content or shape partnerships with global OTT giants such as Netflix and Amazon or other OTT platforms to generate clout in the content ecosystem.

    Synergy prospects

    – The ad revenue potential from IPL is expected to increase significantly with the merged entity having exclusive rights (TV+Digital) to IPL. This consolidation may result in bundled advertisement revenues, potentially mitigating the higher cost of IPL rights and reducing overall losses; due to IPL rights being split between TV and digital between two different platforms and digital platform offering IPL free, there was a big dent in the IPL revenues on TV, which could see some respite.

    – The merger is anticipated to bring about restructuring in employee costs, reduced production expenses, and lower advertisement costs for TV. These potential cost synergies could contribute to improved margins for the merged entity. On the sports side too, content costs may pare sharply for TV, digital over the medium to long term, given that fewer platforms may bid aggressively for expensive properties.

    – In digital, content cost inflation (content cost for web series 3-5x higher than for TV non-fiction shows, per episode) has been sharper due to heavy fragmentation in the OTT market and entry of global giants with deep pockets. With the merger, content cost in digital may see much lower growth, which may improve the unit economics for the OTT business, potentially resulting in lower EBITDA losses for Jio Cinema and Hotstar.

    – Considering the critical role of technological advancements in the success of OTT platforms, the integration of Disney’s technological expertise is expected to enhance the user experience on Jio Cinema. This improvement may subsequently drive higher subscriber numbers and revenue growth.

    Risks

    – Post CCI approval, NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal) approval may take another eight to 12 months

    – A below par customer experience on the video apps despite a wide variety of content may not augur well in subscribers paying for the same; global OTT giants like Netflix have a very superior experience to command a premium ARPU

    – Continuance of hefty losses of the merged entity over the near to medium term due to high costs sports properties (IPL, ICC tournaments & BCCI bilateral rights) could negatively impact valuation prospects for the merged entity

    Shareholding pattern of the merged entity

    After the merger, the ownership structure of the combined entity will be as follows: Reliance will hold 53 per cent  stake through cash infusion, after acquiring Paramount’s balance stake and factoring TV18 and Viacom 18 stake in JV, which are RIL’s subsidiaries;  Disney will hold 36.8 per cent , whereas the Bodhi Tree (stake through Viacom18) /TV18 (ex of Reliance stake) will hold balance 6.2 per cent /3.8 per cent  stake respectively.

    Valuation

    The joint entity, including cash infusion, is valued at  RS 704bn. This valuation comprises  Rs 115 billion in cash,  Rs 330 billion for Viacom18 (including Jio Cinema) and the remaining  Rs 260 billion (~USD 3.2 billion) is the combined valuation of Star India and Hotstar. This valuation of Star India and Hotstar is much lower compared to pre-covid valuation of $12-13 billion which may be due to 1) loss of IPL digital rights leading to ~50 per cent  ad revenue decline and 40 per cent  subscription revenue decline for Hotstar, 2) TV ad revenue remaining flat over FY19-23 and 3) sports content which may continue to incur hefty losses in linear TV due to slower revenue growth. From a valuation standpoint, the impact on TV18 (which owns 13 per cent  in Viacom18) is minimal to negative, as the combined entity is expected to generate substantial losses in the near term due to sports content. Additionally, TV18’s stake in the merged entity is valued at  Rs 42 billion, implying a hefty premium for its news business at  Rs 40 billion (considering TV18’s overall current market cap of  Rs 82 billion).

  • CCI gives go ahead to Viacom18-Disney Star India marriage

    CCI gives go ahead to Viacom18-Disney Star India marriage

    MUMBAI: The big fusion has been given the go ahead. The Competition Commission of India  (CCI) has approved the proposed merger involving Reliance Industries Limited, Viacom18 Media Private Limited, Digital18 Media Limited, Star India Private Limited and Star Television Productions Limited, subject to the compliance of voluntary modifications.

    The CCI, in its post on the X platform, stated, “C-2024/05/1155 Commission approves the proposed combination involving Reliance Industries Ltd, Viacom18 Media Private Ltd, Digital18 Media Ltd, Star India Private Ltd, and Star Television Productions Ltd, subject to the compliance of voluntary modifications.”

     

    This approval was announced just a day before Reliance Industries Ltd’s (RIL) 47th annual general meeting. 

    A press release issued by the CCI later in the evening at 6:34 pm on the Press Information Bureau website stated: 

    The proposed combination envisages to combine the entertainment businesses (along with certain other identified businesses) of Viacom18, part of RIL group and SIPL, wholly owned by The Walt Disney Company (TWDC). As a result of the transaction, SIPL, currently a wholly owned entity of TWDC through its subsidiaries, shall become a joint venture (JV) which will be jointly held by RIL, Viacom18 and existing TWDC subsidiaries.
    RIL, either directly or indirectly, is engaged in several businesses such as exploration and production of oil and gas; petroleum refining and marketing; manufacture and sale of petrochemicals; manufacture and sale of chemicals; organised retail; media and entertainment activities; and telecommunication and digital services in India and worldwide.

    Viacom18 is, inter alia, engaged in the business of broadcasting of television (TV) channels, operation of an OTT platform, selling commercial advertisement space on TV channels, licensing of merchandise, and organization of live events in India and worldwide. Viacom18 is also engaged in the business of production and distribution of motion pictures.

    SIPL is engaged in a range of media activities including TV broadcasting and the production of AV content and motion pictures, operation of an OTT platform, and selling commercial advertisement space on TV channels and OTT platforms. SIPL is, directly or indirectly, a wholly owned entity of TWDC.

    STPL is a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and owned, indirectly, by TWDC.

    The Commission approved the proposed combination subject to the compliance of voluntary modifications.

    Detailed order of the CCI will follow.
     

    Earlier in February 2024, RIL’s subsidiary Viacom18 and Disney’s Indian unit, Star India, had unveiled plans for merging their businesses, setting the stage for the creation of one of the largest TV and digital streaming platforms in India.

    Under the merger arrangement, Viacom18’s media operations will be integrated with Star India Pvt Ltd (SIPL) through a scheme of arrangement approved by the court. The joint venture, which is valued at Rs 70,350 crore (approximately $8.5 billion) on a post-money basis, involves an infusion of Rs 11,500 crore (about $1.4 billion) by RIL to support the new entity’s growth strategy.

    The combined entity will position itself to compete with major players like Sony, Netflix, and Amazon, boasting a portfolio of 120 TV channels and two streaming platforms. The new board of directors will comprise 10 members, with five nominated by RIL, three by Disney, and two serving as independent directors.

    Nita Ambani is set to be the chairperson of the merged entity, while Walt Disney former executive Uday Shankar, will serve as vice chairperson. The merger is projected to be finalised between the last quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025.

    Ownership in the joint venture will be structured as follows: RIL will hold a 16.34 per cent stake, Viacom18 will own 46.82 per cent, and Disney will have a 36.84 per cent share, according to the merger agreement’s terms.

    On 28 August, following the announcement, RIL’s shares remained steady, closing at Rs 2,999 per share. Notably, the CCI’s approval was announced after trading hours.

  • What the Zee-Sony settlement means

    What the Zee-Sony settlement means

    (Below is  Elara Securities’ Karan Taurani’s  perspective  on the settling of the dispute between Zee and Sony)

    Mumbai: The above development (settlement by Sony and not imposing a $ 90 mn termination fee to Zee) has no material impact in terms of earnings estimates as this case was a status quo with regulators. We had not factored any adverse impact of the case (Sony Zee merger termination) in our earnings estimates. However, this is seen as a clear respite to ZEEL’s core broadcasting business, which is trading at compelling valuations of seven times to one-year forward PE and has the potential to move towards our target multiple of 11 times PE core broadcasting business.

    We continue to maintain our positive stance on ZEEL, as we expect better growth rates in the festive season (Q3FY25), led by higher ad spends within FMCG verticals; further profitability too will continue to improve helped by cost-cutting initiatives, improved efficiencies, and lower losses in ZEE5, which will drive valuation re-rating. We have a BUY rating on ZEEL with a TP of Rs 210.

    Enclosed below is the link to the last update on Zee: https://tinyurl.com/54updv7x

    Highlights    

    – In an update to the stock exchange, Zee and Sony Pictures India (CMEPL and BEPL) have entered into a settlement to withdraw applications pending lawsuits, claims and counterclaims including a $ 90 mn termination fee, damages etc.

    – The agreements include a) Settlement for all ongoing disputes, b) Withdraw all applications, claims and counterclaims against each other (including a $ 90 mn termination fee), and c) Releasing each other from all claims regarding the transaction documents.

    – The parties have agreed to withdraw all pending applications, claims, and counterclaims filed before the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC)

    – On 22 Jan 2024, Sony terminated the merger cooperation agreement, and the composite scheme of arrangement originally signed on 22 Dec 2021. Sony immediately sought $ 90 mn in termination fees by filing an appeal with the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC).

    – The merger was primarily called off due to a dispute on the leadership of the merged entity.

    – The ZEEL had also filed case against Sony India seeking a $ 90 mn termination fee

  • Zee Entertainment, Culver Max Entertainment & Bangla Entertainment smoke peace pipe

    Zee Entertainment, Culver Max Entertainment & Bangla Entertainment smoke peace pipe

    Mumbai: It looked like it would be a never ending slugfest between Zee and Sony with each going to court against the other. But now that time has passed and the tempers have cooled, Zee  Culver Max Entertainment Pvt Ltd (CMEPL) operating as Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), together with its group company Bangla Entertainment Pvt Ltd (BEPL), have decided to call of their quarrels. The companies have arrived at a comprehensive non-cash settlement, amicably resolving all disputes related to the merger cooperation agreement and the composite scheme of arrangement.

    As part of the settlement, the firms have mutually agreed to withdraw all respective claims against each other, in the ongoing arbitration at the Singapore International Arbitration Centre, and all related legal proceedings initiated in the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and other forums. The companies will also withdraw the respective composite schemes of arrangement from the NCLT and inform the relevant regulatory authorities.

    Under the terms of the settlement, none of the parties will have any outstanding or continuing obligations or liabilities to the other. The settlement stems from a mutual understanding between the companies to independently pursue future growth opportunities with a renewed purpose and focus on the evolving media and entertainment landscape, signifying the definitive conclusion of all disputes.

    For media observers, this is an agreement which is coming as a breath of fresh air. 

  • COLORS presents new show ‘Suman Indori’ premiering on 3 September

    COLORS presents new show ‘Suman Indori’ premiering on 3 September

    Mumbai: Family dynamics often involve a subtle struggle for control within the household. COLORS introduces “Suman Indori,” a family drama that explores the tension between an elder sister-in-law and her younger counterpart. The show centers on the power dynamics between Devika, the elder sister-in-law, and Suman, the younger sister-in-law, who marries Teerth, a member of a prominent family. Starring Ashnoor Kaur as Suman, Zain Imam as Teerth and Anita Hassanandani as Devika, and produced by Pratik Sharma of Studio LSD, ‘Suman Indori’ premieres on the 3 September and will air daily at 6:30 pm on COLORS.

    Set in Indore, “Suman Indori” tells the story of Suman, a street food vendor whose life changes when she marries Teerth, an aspiring politician from a powerful family. As she navigates her new role as a daughter-in-law, she encounters opposition from her elder sister-in-law, Devika. The two women find themselves in a continuous power struggle. Teerth, meanwhile, views his marriage to Suman as a means to advance his political career. The show follows their interactions and the resulting shifts in household dynamics.

    Talking about boarding the show, Anita Hassanandani said, “With Suman Indori, I’m stepping into the role of Devika, a tez-tarrar Jethani of a powerful political family. Devika’s the queen bee who loves calling the shots, whether it’s deciding the dinner menu, or controlling the family business. To the world, her devrani, Suman, is just the new bahu, but to Devika, she’s a ticking time bomb with that annoying charm of winning people over without even trying. What follows is a classic devrani-jethani showdown packed with power plays and mind games. Here’s hoping that viewers will rally behind the show by showering it with love!”

    Excited to essay the role of Suman, Ashnoor Kaur said, “I’m thrilled a show like Suman Indori marks my comeback on television and it is my third collaboration with COLORS. I’ll be seen embodying Suman, a resilient young woman, the breadwinner of her family, who goes from being the ‘beti’ of her city’s chaat kingdom in Sarafa bazaar to a daughter-in-law of a powerful family after a reluctant marriage. That’s when the tashan begins, between her and her jethani, who sees her as a potential usurper of her dominion over the household. But Suman being Suman, is prepared to dish out all the hurdles Devika throws her way. What I love about my character is that in a world where everyone is chasing power, she is feisty and remains true to her values.”

    Sharing his thoughts about essaying the role of Teerth, Zain Imam said, “It’s incredible to be back with COLORS for a show as special as Suman Indori. I will be seen portraying Teerth, an opportunistic politician who’s always calculating his next play to attract goodwill. He marries Suman as a stunt that will get him brownie points in people’s view. I’ve spent countless hours observing the nuances of how politicians conduct themselves. This role allows me to showcase my acting range, and I can’t wait for audiences to see what I’ve brought to the screen.  Among all the shows out there, the beauty of Suman Indori is that it captures the corridors of power within a family.”

    Get ready to witness the drama in ‘Suman Indori’ premiering on 3 September and thereafter every day at 6:30 pm only on COLORS.