ITV

Category: Regional

  • Gujarati greats shine at star-studded awards

    Gujarati greats shine at star-studded awards

    MUMBAI: It was lights, camera, and plenty of Gujarati action as Mumbai played host to the glittering Gujarati Entertainment & Gujarati–Marwari Excellence Awards 2025, a night that sparkled with talent, tradition, and triumph.

    Held at The Westin, Mumbai, the inaugural edition of the awards, curated by Bright Outdoor Media Limited, brought together the who’s who of entertainment and enterprise to celebrate creativity, culture, and business brilliance across 60 categories.

    The evening opened with a lively panel discussion on “Future of Gujarati cinema – building visibility & growth beyond boundaries”, featuring film and television stalwarts like Manoj Joshi, Hiten Kumar, JD Majithia, Ojas Rawal, Bhakti Rathod, and Abhilash Ghoda, moderated by TV9 Gujarati’s Chirag Shah. The discussion explored how the industry can take Gujarati storytelling to global audiences.

    The red carpet glittered with stars including Anang Desai, Rashmi Desai, Manasi Parekh, Manav Gohil, Urvashi Upadhyay, Hemant Kher, Komal Thakkar, and Sana Sultan, turning the evening into a true celebration of Gujarati pride.

    The evening’s top honours celebrated a mix of cinematic excellence and inspiring personalities. Manoj Joshi was bestowed the lifetime achievement to Indian cinema Award, while Hiten Kumar was recognised as iconic actor in Gujarati cinema (Male). JD Majethia earned the outstanding contribution to Indian cinema award, and Manav Gohil won excellent performance of the year for his role in Jalebi rocks. Rashmi Desai bagged most popular actor for Mom tane nai samjay, and Komal Thakkar was named Inspiring personality of the year. Other notable winners included Urvashi Upadhyay, Sana Sultan, Ojas Rawal, and Bhakti Rathod, who each took home major accolades for their outstanding contributions.

    The event also saluted visionary business leaders from the Gujarati and Marwari communities, recognising their contributions to innovation, trade, and entrepreneurship.

    Powered by Sejal Realty, with Zamin Pvt. Ltd. as Land Deal Partner and Malabar Gold as exclusive jewellery partner, the evening shimmered with style, spirit, and substance.

    “Gujarati entertainment and business communities have always stood for excellence and enterprise,” said Bright Outdoor Media Limited CMD Yogesh Lakhani. “This platform celebrates their contribution and marks the start of something much bigger.”

    Echoing the sentiment, CEO Mukesh Sharma added, “This is just the beginning. Our vision is to make these awards a marquee annual event celebrating culture, talent, and success across India.”

    With over 60 awards presented and spirits running high, the first-ever Gujarati Entertainment & Gujarati–Marwari Excellence Awards 2025 proved that when it comes to creativity and commerce, the community knows how to shine, brilliantly and proudly.

     

  • Vinod Cookware cooks up festive magic on Rasoi

    Vinod Cookware cooks up festive magic on Rasoi

    MUMBAI: Stirring up the pot this festive season! Vinod Intelligent Cookware is turning up the heat on regional engagement by partnering as co-powered sponsor of Rasoi, Colors Gujarati’s long-running cooking show. The collaboration kicked off on 1 October 2025 and will span 158 episodes, running through the festive season.

    The integration brings Vinod’s flagship range: pressure cookers, kadhais, frypans, tawas, and steamers, front and centre. From logo placements and anchor mentions to in-content integration and strategic product placements, the brand ensures viewers get a full helping of visibility throughout the campaign.

    Rasoi, a cultural mainstay for over 20 years with more than 6,600 episodes and 20,000 recipes aired, is hosted by Dhvani Trivedi, Harsh Bhatariya, Riya Makwana, and Rudra Tumdi. The show blends authentic vegetarian recipes with modern, healthier twists, making it an ideal platform for Vinod Cookware to connect with Gujarati households during the festive season.

    Vinod Cookware India managing director Sunil Agarwal said, “Partnering with a culturally trusted show like Rasoi allows us to showcase our product innovations while engaging deeply with regional households. It reflects our strategy of blending tradition with modern cooking solutions, ensuring healthier and more enjoyable meals.”

    Network Advertising president-media Priya Jacob added, “This partnership is about more than presence; it is about connecting with families through a show they trust, creating meaningful brand engagement and reinforcing Vinod Cookware’s authentic identity.”

    The move adds to Vinod Cookware’s impressive portfolio of partnerships, which includes Masterchef India, Kaun Banega Crorepati, and regional collaborations with Zee Marathi and Amrita Television. Its ongoing digital campaigns have also garnered over 170 million views, demonstrating the brand’s strength across platforms.

    Founded in 1962 by Rajeram Agarwal, Vinod Intelligent Cookware is a leading manufacturer of premium stainless-steel cookware, with 400 plus products and a global presence since 1990. Known for hygienic pressure cookers and innovative solutions, the brand continues to blend tradition with modern technology to cater to evolving Indian kitchens.

     

  • Damini strikes again with a sequel after 30 Years

    Damini strikes again with a sequel after 30 Years

    MUMBAI: Lightning strikes twice, and this time, it’s Damini 2.0. The cult Marathi television classic that pioneered daily soaps in the 90s is set to make a grand comeback after three decades.

    Originally produced by the late Gautam Adhikari and Markand Adhikari under the Sri Adhikari Brothers banner, Damini ran for over nine years, clocking more than 1,500 episodes and earning legendary status in Marathi households.

    Now, Damini 2.0 is ready to carry forward that legacy. The sequel is being produced by Doordarshan Sahyadri Vahini and will once again be written and directed by Kaanchan Adhikkari, who helmed the original series.

    On the revival, media baron Markand Adhikari expressed his joy, “I am very happy that Doordarshan Kendra, Mumbai has decided to take forward the legacy of Damini by producing Damini 2.0, with Kaanchan writing and directing it. Adhikari Brothers has always strived to create content that resonates with Indian audiences, and our next generation, Ravi and Kailash, will continue this legacy.”

    A show that once changed the face of Marathi television is ready to do it again. With Damini 2.0, nostalgia meets new-age storytelling, and the storm is set to return to the small screen.

  • ET Now Swadesh marks 4 years of trust with ‘Swadesh ke 4 Saal’ special

    ET Now Swadesh marks 4 years of trust with ‘Swadesh ke 4 Saal’ special

    MUMBAI: ET Now Swadesh, India’s fastest-growing Hindi business news channel, is turning four this October, marking the milestone with a day-long programming special themed ‘Swadesh Ke 4 Saal, Bharosa Beshumaar.’

    Since its launch in 2021, ET Now Swadesh has carved out a reputation as the country’s trusted guide for investors, empowering viewers with clear, credible, and actionable insights on markets, mutual funds, and wealth creation. Its mission: linking individual prosperity with India’s financial growth story.

    The anniversary special on 3 October packs in marquee segments featuring India’s sharpest financial minds, from Nilesh Shah (Kotak MF), Radhika Gupta (Edelweiss MF) and Devina Mehra (First Global) to market leaders like Ashish Kumar Chauhan (NSE) and Sundararaman Ramamurthy (BSE). The lineup spans investment strategies, SIP fundamentals, and exclusive conversations with CEOs and fund managers.

    Congratulating the channel, The Times Group MD Vineet Jain said, “In just four years, ET Now Swadesh has helped shape India’s culture of investment, with demat accounts surging from 7 crore to 25 crore since 2020. The channel continues to be a trusted partner in every Indian household’s financial journey.”

    From demystifying the stock market to fostering financial literacy, ET Now Swadesh has consistently positioned itself as more than just a news channel but a driver of financial empowerment.

    As it steps into its fifth year, the channel aims to deepen financial inclusion and deliver sharper insights for India’s growing pool of retail investors. After all, as ET Now Swadesh itself says, “सटीक और निष्पक्ष निवेश सलाह.”

     

  • Screen and serene: TV9 Bangla unveils its vibrant puja specials

    Screen and serene: TV9 Bangla unveils its vibrant puja specials

    MUMBAI: Talk about ‘screen’ goddess! This Durga Puja, TV9 Bangla is donning its festive best, bringing a dazzling mix of heritage, adda, and celebration straight into Bengali living rooms with its Sharadiya line-up.

    Carrying the theme Pujo Ebar TV9 Banglaye, the channel promises a blend of inspiration and entertainment for Bengalis worldwide. The festivities kick off on Mahalaya (21 September) with Panch nari hatey tarobari, a stirring tribute to five trailblazing women, including theatre icon Noti Binodini, literary firebrand Mahasweta Devi, Rabindrasangeet maestro Suchitra Mitra, Antarctic explorer Sudipta Sengupta, and cricket legend Jhulan Goswami.

    From Sasthi to Nabami (28 Sept–1 Oct), Pujor adda adds sparkle with stars like Abir Chatterjee, Mimi Chakraborty and Srijit Mukherji, chatting about their festive spirit and upcoming blockbusters. Meanwhile, Bonedi barir pujo (22–26 Sept) takes viewers inside Bengal’s aristocratic mansions, where grandeur meets tradition.

    The line-up doesn’t stop there. Annya durga (23–27 Sept) salutes unsung heroines: women from the tea gardens and tribal communities who have fought adversity with grit and grace. And, for the community spirit, the TV9 puja competition will crown the best of Bengal across categories: from best theme and idol to women-led pujas and social cause initiatives.

    TV9 Bangla, managing editor & business head, Amritanshu Bhattacharya summed it up: “This Puja, we’re celebrating the rise of women power while adding colour, culture, and excitement. You can’t miss TV9 Bangla’s screen this season.”

    With its mix of star power, tradition, and inspiration, TV9 Bangla’s Sharadiya special looks set to be the perfect festive binge. After all, when it comes to pujo celebrations, this year, the channel is idol talk.

  • Bigg Boss Malayalam 7 smashes records with highest-ever ratings

    Bigg Boss Malayalam 7 smashes records with highest-ever ratings

    MUMBAI: Bigg Boss Malayalam season 7, fronted by veteran actor Mohanlal, has stormed into the record books with its highest ratings yet. BARC data (15+U, week 31, HD+SD) shows the mega launch episode pulling in a blistering 15.3 TVR, while regular episodes clocked an impressive 11.4 TVR — the best performance in the franchise’s Malayalam run.

    Under its punchy new tagline Ezhinte Pani, the show has shaken up the Bigg Boss format with sharper gameplay, higher stakes and a more immersive viewer experience. 

    Contestants face brutal challenges, clever manoeuvres and emotionally charged showdowns — a cocktail that has viewers glued to their screens.

    Aired on Asianet at 9.30pm weekdays and 9.00pm weekends, the series is also streaming 24×7 on JioHotstar. Season 7, it seems, has the competition playing catch-up.

  • Sidhartha Kishore Das takes charge as general manager at Rachana Television

    Sidhartha Kishore Das takes charge as general manager at Rachana Television

    MUMBAI – Sidhartha Kishore Das has joined Rachana Television Pvt Ltd as general manager, after a 14-year stint at Odisha Television Limited (OTV). Das, who most recently served as senior general manager at OTV, will now spearhead revenue growth and strategy at the Hyderabad-based broadcaster.

    At OTV, Das headed sales across the north and west regions, driving market share and expanding the client base. Earlier, he worked at Zee Entertainment Enterprises in New Delhi.

    With nearly two decades in broadcast sales and management, Das is expected to bring his negotiation prowess, presentation skills and sharp market analysis to Rachana Television’s top table.
     

  • Bigg Boss Malayalam season 7 to storm Asianet with Ezhinte Pani

    Bigg Boss Malayalam season 7 to storm Asianet with Ezhinte Pani

    MUMBAI: Asianet has pulled out all the stops for the launch of Bigg Boss Malayalam season 7, which is to be unveiled on 3 August at 7pm with superstar Mohanlal at the helm. The reality behemoth returns with the fiery tagline Ezhinte Pani, a clarion call for a season built on grit, guile and unrelenting competition.

    The premiere episode will showcase a vibrant, eclectic mix of contestants—actors, influencers, professionals and mavericks—ready to test their mettle inside the Bigg Boss house. Mohanlal, in trademark style, will set the tone for a season that promises power plays, unpredictable twists and no shortage of fireworks.

    Breaking from the familiar, Asianet has constructed its own custom-built set for the first time: the most spacious and opulent Bigg Boss house yet. It features sweeping lawns, a sprawling dining hall, a gleaming kitchen, plush bedrooms, a grand living room and the ever-enigmatic confession chamber, where strategy and emotion collide.

    Season 7 also raises the stakes with tougher tasks, more complex strategies and sharper audience engagement. The new format pivots on public opinion as much as on smart gameplay, ensuring that no contestant can rest easy.

    Episodes will air Monday to Friday at 9.30pm and weekends at 9pm. For die-hard fans, every unfiltered moment is available round the clock on JioHotstar.

    With Ezhinte Pani, Bigg Boss Malayalam promises not just entertainment, but a test of endurance, wit and resilience—cementing its place as Asianet’s crown jewel in reality television.

  • Zee hits the refresh button with ‘Z’ Whats Next and a bold new content-tech vision

    Zee hits the refresh button with ‘Z’ Whats Next and a bold new content-tech vision

    MUMBAI: In true blockbuster style, Zee has dropped the curtain on its next chapter with the launch of ‘Z’ Whats Next — an industry-first initiative that pulls back the screen on what the network is cooking up next. The house of Zee, known for its deep cultural roots and mass appeal, used the platform to flex its new brand promise “Yours Truly, Z” and show just how serious it is about shaping the entertainment of tomorrow.

    The event gave partners a front-row pass to Zee’s evolution into a content-tech juggernaut. It wasn’t just a sizzle reel, this was Zee laying down the gauntlet, revealing innovations that blend storytelling, tech, and culture with a crisp vision for platform-fluid audiences.

    While OTT is riding high, Zee made it clear: TV’s still the big boss in Bharat. With 50 channels across 11 languages and a reach of 208 million households, the network reaffirmed its status as India’s storytelling powerhouse. But this isn’t the Zee of yesteryears, it’s doubling down on content that moves fluidly from TV to OTT to social, building characters that aren’t just watched, but followed, mimicked, and memed.

    And yes, those characters? They’re not just protagonists. They’re Dilfluencers — hearts-first heroes who spark conversations and shift behaviours across the country.

    As part of this high-octane unveiling, Zee introduced two shiny new hybrid channels:

      . Zee Power: A next-gen Kannada channel tailored for semi-urban and youth audiences in Karnataka. It’s edgy, aspirational, and unapologetically high-energy. Set to launch in August 2025, the channel’s line-up includes five fiction shows, a daily non-fiction fix, movies galore, and World Television Premieres to keep the pulse racing.

     .  Zee BanglaSonar: A first-of-its-kind hybrid channel for Bengali-speaking audiences nationwide. With its golden tagline ‘Sonar Ghar, Notun Kahini’ (A Golden Home for New Stories), the channel blends fiction, non-fiction, films, and never-seen-before formats rooted in local flavour and modern flair.

    As it opens its arms to collaborators and creators, one thing’s clear: the ‘Z’ in Zee now also stands for Zeitgeist.
     

  • Zee unlocks Bengal’s TV potential with a two-pronged attack

    Zee unlocks Bengal’s TV potential with a two-pronged attack

    MUMBAI: While West Bengal might be lagging behind the national average in TV penetration, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) isn’t just seeing a gap, they’re seeing a blooming opportunity. With over 15.3m TV households, the state’s 66 per cent penetration (compared to a national 71 per cent) means there’s a whopping headroom for growth, as Samrat Ghosh, who is the chief cluster officer – East, North and Premium cluster, declares with a grin smile on his face.

    “There are a large chunk of consumers who are yet to see their stories being told on screen,” Ghosh states, adding that India’s robust rural growth story is mirrored in Bengal, where the urban-rural split currently stands at a tantalising 47:53. This, he suggested, is a clear signpost. “Somebody has to come and tap into it,” says Ghosh, and Zee, ever the shrewd operator, is more than ready to do the tapping.

    The Bangla General Entertainment Channel (GEC) market has traditionally been a bit of a duopoly, with Zee Bangla and Star Jalsha hogging a staggering 85 per cent of the viewership. The rest, including Sun Bangla, Akash Bangla, Sony Aath, and Colors Bangla, are left scrapping over a measly 15 per cent. “This is an opportunity for us,” Ghosh asserts, highlighting the “need for a very strong number three player” to shake things up.

    Enter Zee Bangla Shonar, the conglomerate’s strategic new venture designed to complement Zee Bangla and target those previously underserved segments. “With Zee Bangla and Zee Bangla Shonar together, we want to create a very, very synergistic ecosystem,” Ghosh explains.

    While the venerable Zee Bangla will continue its broad mass appeal and legacy format of storytelling, the new kid in town, Zee Bangla Shonar, will be all about experimental formats, refreshing content, innovative shows etc and also aims to consolidate Zee’s leadership journey in the West Bengal market.

    Interestingly, while Zee Bangla has traditionally targeted urban female audiences (25+), Zee Bangla Shonar is boldly setting its sights on male viewers (30+). “This isn’t about alienating the female base. 98 per cent of homes are still sitting on televisions, but about addressing a blue ocean strategy to serve a distinct need,” he explains.

    “There is no dedicated channel which is also talking to these male audiences, representing their stories on screen,” Ghosh further points out, seeing this as a golden ticket to boost overall advertising revenue by attracting brands whose core target is male.

    Despite West Bengal’s internet access (80 per cent) being slightly below the national average (87 per cent), television still reigns supreme. “It is still an aspirational medium because at the end of the day television caters to the entire needs of the family,” states Ghosh. Zee’s content philosophy, even for the new channel, isn’t about edgy, uncomfortable viewing; it’s about content designed to help the entire family to come together.

    Jalaluddin Mondal, another voice from Zee, who is the chief channel officer of Zee Biskope & Zee Bangla Shonar, chimed in on the content strategy for the new kid in town. Expect innovation in terms of the format and theme, with a focus on areas like crime investigation, travelogues (something largely untouched in the GEC space), and slice-of-life stories. Non-fiction will see fresh formats, including a unique singing competition featuring Jugalbandi between vocalists and instrumentalists, and a gamified “couples compatibility” show offering prizes of up to Rs one lakh daily. “There’ll also be snackable content like prank shows and spooky narratives, plus investments in acquiring and producing original movies, some even getting a cinematic release before a channel premiere,” concludes Mondal.

    On the surge of old shows making a comeback across the industry, both dismissed the idea of a “lack of content”. Instead, they argued it’s about “bringing back the nostalgia factor amongst the audiences,” leveraging “iconic characters” that people still adore. While new stories are crucial, the emotional connection to established characters is a powerful hook. They conclude by saying, “At the core, you have to understand the consumer for a successful design of a content.” 

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