ITV

Category: Regional

  • Zee5 to stream Zee Bangla’s latest offering ‘Aparajita Apu’

    Zee5 to stream Zee Bangla’s latest offering ‘Aparajita Apu’

    MUMBAI: Zee Bangla has strengthened its primetime line-up with the launch of Aparajita Apu. The serial started airing on 30 November 2020 at 8.30 pm and now, it will be available on the network’s OTT platform, Zee5.

    Aparajita Apu is the story of a young and passionate girl Apu, who isn’t afraid of taking a strong stand against any injustice. She aspires to fulfil her dream and become successful in order to help her dad. In the promo, it can be seen that Apu’s elder sister is getting married. All of a sudden, her in-laws stop the marriage and demand dowry. A determined Apu protests such behaviour and threatens to call the police.

    The show is produced by Susanta Das, who is also the creator of Krishnakoli, Ke Apon Ke Por, and other hit Zee Bangla serials. Krishnakoli is one of the top-rated programs from the channel, listed at fifth position in the latest TRP ratings.

    Aparajita Apu will mark the debut of model-turned-actress Susmita Dey. For the uninitiated, the actor stepped into the industry as a model and participated in a beauty pageant. In the past, she has been a part of a few modelling projects.  

    The role of the show’s male protagonist, Dipyaman, is played by Rohaan Bhattacharjee. His character revolves around being a loving son who belongs to a family that believes in a disciplined and structured lifestyle. He is kind, honest and helps Apu to fulfil her dreams. Prior to this, Rohaan did two comedy-dramas- Bhojo Gobindo and Koler Bou.

    Krishnakoli, Rani Rashmoni,Phirki, Ki Kore Bolbo Tomay, Jamuna Dhaki, Jiban Sathi, , Soudaminir Sansar, Pandab Goyenda, Goyenda Ginni are the other prime time programs of Zee Bangla. Kanyadan, the Bengali dubbed version of Marathi serial Tula Pahate Re are some of the upcoming projects listed by the channel.

  • Prajwal PD and Anusha Hegde to enter ‘Nagabhairavi’

    Prajwal PD and Anusha Hegde to enter ‘Nagabhairavi’

    MUMBAI: Zee Telugu’s Nagabhairavi has captivated audiences since its launch with spectacular VFX and the blossoming chemistry between Nagarjuna (Pawon) and Bhairavi (Yashmi Gowda). The story began with Bhairavi losing the magical amulet and moved forward with Pawon knowing his dream girl is Bhairavi. In the coming episodes, both Nagarjuna and Bhairavi are going to be surrounded by mystical powers. And now, the new storyline won’t be just about the leads of the show, but it will more about their struggle to know the truth of the temple and Nagavaram.

    To further entertain the viewers from the Telugu states, the show is going to introduce some new characters that would eventually change the life of Nagarjuna and Bhairavi. The lead pair from Zee Telugu’s popular show Suryakantham Prajwal PD & Anusha Hedge are going to be part of the show as Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. Along with them, versatile actress Shruti Singampalli is going to don a character of a powerful witch. Kalyana Vaibogame fame Bhavana plays the role of soothsayer and Attarintlo Akka Chellalu fame Madhu is also going to be part of the show as Vishwambara.

    So how will Nagarjuna and Bhairavi will deal with this new phase of their life where they are surrounded by the mystical acts and people..

    Produced by Pawon and Kalki Raja under their banner 27 Pictures, the show airs at 7:30 pm only on Zee Telugu and Zee Telugu HD.

  • Popular Marathi actors come together for the launch of Zee Vajwa

    Popular Marathi actors come together for the launch of Zee Vajwa

    MUMBAI: Zeel’s Marathi music channel – Zee Vajwa, has left no stone unturned to reach out to and connect with the audience. From the quirky and trendy #FullToVajwa challenge that took social media by storm to brand films promising to amplify Maharashtra’s everyday moments into a mahual with music and last but not the least popular celebrities from the industry coming together to introduce the channel in their own unique style; truly dialled up moments and created a launch mahaul across the state.

    It all kickstarted with celebrities partaking the #FullToVajwa challenge, a unique dance on the culturally vibrant sonic ID of Zee Vajwa. The challenge created a chain with multiple celebrities from the fraternity – Amey Wagh, Abhidnya Bhave, Prajakta Mali, Abhinay Berde, Amruta Deshmukh, Gayatri Datar, Phulwa Khamkar, Krutika Gaikwad and many more posting their videos and in turn challenging their fans and followers. The challenge quickly caught on generating 3.7 million+ views & 283K+ engagement on social media. Adding another feather to the hat, Zee Vajwa associated with Instagram's newest offering – 'Reels'. The 15-second videos on the platform opened a new world of possibilities with #FulltoVajwa challenge becoming Instagram Reels first ever regional channel launch tie-up. With every new video, followers passed the baton to their friends, thus creating a chain where everyone showed their dance moves on the upbeat brand tune. Participation in the#FulltoVajwa challenge brought in a wave of fun and enthusiasm amongst marathi youth allowing them to showcase their hidden talents online during these times of social distancing. To celebrate the overwhelming response from viewers, as a token of appreciation the channel showcased audience entries on-air on Diwali eve.

    The channel was welcomed by the entire Marathi industry from Nilesh Sable sharing about the launch in Chala Hawa Yeu Dya and Lav Re Toh Video, Advait Dadarkar in Dancing Queen, Gauri Kulkarni and Nikhil Damale in Almost Sufal Sampurna to last but not least Aadesh Bandekar in Home Minister, the hosts elaborated on how Zee Vajwa will amplify everyday moments into a mahual with best of marathi music, living up to the brand promise – Zee Vajwa, Kshann Gaajwa. 

    Zeel  music cluster  deputy business head  Pankaj Balhara said,  ‘Launching a channel in the current scenario was a challenge but we designed the campaign to use the two most powerful media in today’s time – TV & Digital. The #FullToVajwa challenge was a unique way to create a buzz about the channel launch and engage with our viewers while capitalizing on the strengths of both the mediums. The power of Zee Network was leveraged to maximize the reach to make this a successful launch campaign.”

    Top brands such as Yamaha Faschino 125 Fi, Garnier Men Shampoo Color, Cadbury Celebrations, Fogg, Jeevansathi and Santoor made most of the opportunity and partnered with the channel’s launch campaign to strengthen their connect with Marathi youth.

    With Zee Vajwa’s addition to the Zee Marathi channels bouquet, the audience is privy to a complete entertainment package from the network comprising of best of shows, movies and now music.

  • Zee Keralam celebrates second anniversary, thanks viewers for the exciting two years

    Zee Keralam celebrates second anniversary, thanks viewers for the exciting two years

    MUMBAI: Zee Keralam, the hit entrant in the Malayalam entertainment TV arena, has completed two years of thriving existence. On the day of their second anniversary, Zee Keralam has brought out a brand film with the tag ‘Avesham Randiriatti’ featuring everyone from the Zee Keralam family including most of the fiction leads and non-fiction hosts. The film is about these stars preparing for a grand second-year celebration of Zee Keralam.

    Zee Keralam also thanked the viewers for their kind support along with media and advertisement partners in helping them position the channel at the top of the heart of every Malayalee.

    It was on 26 November  2018, when Malayalees wholeheartedly welcomed Zee Keralam. Within a short span of two years, the channel has become a favourite of Malayalam telly audience with a phenomenal growth securing 13 percent of the market share and climbed to the number two spot in prime time for 25 weeks in a row. A feat that is quite envious in the history of Malayalam television.

    Resonating the brand position, ‘Let’s Weave Wonders in Life’; the channel has been at the forefront of bringing a wide variety of programmes into their bandwagon for the last two years.

    The channel has started a slew of fiction and non-fiction programmes this year. Zee Keralam fictions are known to showcase progressive content that are rooted in the values of every Malayali home. The nonfiction shows are known to transform the lives of the participants as well as feature extraordinary entertainment on a large scale.

    With many blockbuster movies in their library, Zee Keralam has a strong entertaining line up that has grown in leaps and bounds over the last two years. As the channel steps into their forthcoming year, the brand is certain that they will stay true to their tagline – Neithedukkaam Jeevitha Vismayangal.

    Link to the Brand film: https://www.facebook.com/2013890732265019/posts/2837129069941177/?vh=e&d=n  

  • Zee Telugu to premiere emotional thriller Penguin

    Zee Telugu to premiere emotional thriller Penguin

    MUMBAI: Prepare for goosebumps this Sunday evening as Zee Telugu will take you on a chilling journey with the world television premiere of the emotional thriller movie Penguin. Set in the sylvan surroundings of Kodaikanal, the film sketches the trauma of a mother and the lost son who is trying to fit in. The channel is all set to telecast the movie on 29 November at 5 pm only on Zee Telugu and Zee Telugu HD.

    Rhythm (Keerthy Suresh), a pregnant woman, still carries the guilt of letting down her son, Ajay, who has been missing for six years. The incident has reshaped her life, destroying her marriage to Raghu (Linga), but also leading her to her present husband Gautham (Madhampatty Rangaraj). Everyone, including the cops, believes the boy to be dead, but Rhythm will not hear anything of it. On a whim, against the advice of the doctor, she goes to the lake where Ajay went missing, and by quirk of fate, she manages to find the boy (Advaith). The questions loom large: where was he and with whom? Rhythm sets out to find the masked man before he preys on another child.

    Debutant director Eashvar Karthic sets up an interesting premise and traps the viewers into a journey of a character who is in deep sorrow, while Santhosh Narayan’s background score resonates with the mood of the film and adds that emotional quotient.

    Watch the spine-tingling journey of Rhythm on 29 November at 5 pm only on Zee Telugu and Zee Telugu HD channels.

  • Zee Telugu launches Inti Guttu on 30 November

    Zee Telugu launches Inti Guttu on 30 November

    MUMBAI: As we navigate through the challenges of the on-going pandemic, viewers are looking for entertainment, love, humor and freshness in the content they consume. Staying true to its brand line ‘Aarambham Okka Aduguthone’, Zee Telugu is all set to launch a new fiction show in the afternoon slot, Inti Guttu, an endearing story of unique, bittersweet mother-daughter like relationship. An association that develops between women, Anupama and Kalyani who are not related by blood, practically strangers to each other, but tied together by an unconventional bond. From the house of Annapurna Productions, Inti Guttu will premiere on 30 November and will air from Monday – Saturday at 2:00 PM only on Zee Telugu and Zee Telugu HD.

    Set against Pochampally backdrop, Kalyani (Nisarga) is the apple of her parent’s eyes and has the picture-perfect family, until a massive setback turns her world upside down. Anupama (Meena Vasu), whom Kalyani suspects as her father Ajay’s (Sai Kiran) mistress, is suddenly made her sole guardian. Follow Kalyani’s journey of avenging the loss of her family and her volatile interactions with the one woman who she holds singularly responsible for their peril. Will Kalyani make life miserable for Anupama or is she about to stumble upon a reality that changes her entire perception of her own family?

    Zee Telugu cluster head Anuradha Gudur said, “Inti Guttu explores a never-seen-before facet of a mother-daughter relationship where two absolute strangers, who ideally cannot see eye to eye are forced by twist of faith into each other’s lives in an unpalatable manner because of twist of destiny. The show has intense drama and all the elements that are bound to hook audiences while they are having their lunch, further strengthening our afternoon fiction line-up. With the launch of Inti Guttu, we only intend to bolster our overall position.”

    The show also includes a powerful ensemble cast including actors like Rohit, Rupa, Rajitha, Girish, Siva Parvathi, Malladhi, Hemanth, Rithu Choudhary and others in pivotal roles.

    To witness Kalyani and Anupama’s unique relation, tune-in to Inti Guttu starting 30 November 2020 every Monday – Saturday 2:00 PM only on Zee Telugu and Zee Telugu HD.

  • Bhojpuri channels go all out for Chhath celebrations

    Bhojpuri channels go all out for Chhath celebrations

    MUMBAI: Chhath Puja is an ancient religious festival observed by Hindu women in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand, performed over four days to worship the Sun God. The rituals include holy bathing, fasting, and presenting offerings to the rising and setting sun. While celebrations have begun, there are restrictions in place in light of the Covid2019 pandemic. Several states have prohibited community gatherings and taking a dip in water bodies to prevent spread of the infection. Since the festival can’t be observed with its usual verve, Bhojpuri channels are seizing the opportunity to connect with their core consumers and engage them in the region’s biggest celebration from the safety of their homes.

    Big Ganga has created a bouquet of content in readiness, ensuring that the Chhath offerings are also built on empathising and inspiring the audience through these trying times.

    Big Ganga & Zee Biskope business head Amarpreet Singh Saini said, “Chathi Mayi, our marquee event, will be stunningly different this year. We are doing Siya Ram Key Chhath, a first in Bhojpuri entertainment space till date. We are bringing to life Siya Ram's first Chhath done in treta yug, something which has not been captured on Bhojpuri television till date. This is to take our audience back to our roots and showcase the glory and divine power of Chathi Mayi from ages, so that it instils motivation to combat today's challenges with gusto.”

    To make the programme exceptional, the channel has invited Arun Govil and Deepika Chikhalia – the famous reel life embodiment of Lord Ram and Devi Sita – to re-enact the mytho-miracle moments from the Ramayana for the audience. Along with this Big Ganga, is bringing Chathi Ghate Ganga, a unique narrative-led non-fiction series which follows the journey of a spirited girl Ganga. The channel will also have popular Bhojpuri celebrities like Nirahua, Akshara, Tripti Sakya, Arvind Akela Kallu, Mamta Raut, Mohan Rathore, among others, to add to the festivities.

    Additionally, Big Ganga has planned a consumer engagement initiative called Chhath Online Aarag on 20 November at 4 pm. Saini added that it is a digital first initiative on Facebook for viewers who wanted to perform Aarag on the auspicious occasion of Chhath but couldn’t travel to their hometown. Popular Bhojpuri celeb pair Sanjoli Pandey and Alok Pandey will facilitate argh (rituals) on behalf of the devotees via a live session on Big Ganga’s Facebook page. While being able to witness each moment of the argh live, viewers will have the added perk of staying connected with their favourite celebrities.

    Enterr10 TV Network’s Bhojpuri Cinema is taking the annual festive event Jai Chhath Maiya a notch higher. In a first for the industry, the channel has taken its marquee festive programme Jai Chhath Maiya to London. Featuring eminent personalities from the Bhojpuri entertainment industry like Pawan Singh, Khesari Lal Yadav, Kajal Ragwani, Madhu Sharma, Sehar Afsha, Harshika Punecha, along with celebrated singers and performers of the region, the 90-minute multi-entertainment show has taken the biggest festival of the region to an international level to enthral and regale viewers within the comfort of their homes.

    The festive extravaganza will be telecast on 20 November at 7 pm and 21 November at 10 pm on Bhojpuri Cinema. Divided into nine segments, the programme will incorporate the story behind the festival along with bhajans, devotional performances and storytelling acts based on Chhath festival. In addition to this, Sanjay Mahanand will, as is customary, entertain the audience with his funny songs.

    Enterr10 TV Network MD Manish Singhal said, “With our festive offering of Jai Chhath Maiya, we aim to foster our bond with our viewers and take forward our commitment to present content that resonates with the region’s sentiment. We are excited to bring to our audience something that has never been done before. Jai Chhath Maiya is an important festival for all of us as it will showcase the festive fervour of Indians settled in London. With an intriguing performance line-up, we are sure to keep the audience entertained and also provide information by showcasing acts and performances.”

    As far as advertisers are concerned, Saini mentioned that the majority of the brands on Big Ganga are from the consumer goods and consumer durables categories. He added, “This year, our Chhath impact Jai Chhathi Mayi, has already invited partners such as Nestle Munch, Fortune Refined Soyabean oil, Tata tea, Keo Karpin, Ultratech and many more.”

  • When Enterr10 TV celebrated Chhath Puja in London

    When Enterr10 TV celebrated Chhath Puja in London

    MUMBAI: In a first for the industry, Bhojpuri Cinema has dialled up the festive fervour of Chhath by celebrating Jai Chhath Maiya in London on the banks of the river Thames. 

    Featuring eminent personalities from the Bhojpuri entertainment industry like Pawan Singh, Khesari Lal Yadav, Kajal Ragwani, Madhu Sharma, Sehar Afsha, Harshika Punecha, along with celebrated singers and performers of the region, the 90-minute multi-entertainment show has taken the biggest festival of the region to an international level to enthral and regale viewers within the comfort of their homes. 

    The festive extravaganza will be telecast on 20 November at 7 pm and 21 November at 10 pm on Bhojpuri Cinema. Divided into nine segments, the programme will incorporate the story behind the festival along with bhajans, devotional performances and storytelling acts based on Chhath festival. In addition to this, Sanjay Mahanand will, as is customary, entertain the audience with his funny songs. 

    Enterr10 TV Network MD Manish Singhal said, “With our festive offering of Jai Chhath Maiya, we aim to foster our bond with our viewers and take forward our commitment to present content that resonates with the region’s sentiment. We are excited to bring to our audience something that has never been done before. Jai Chhath Maiya is an important festival for all of us as it will showcase the festive fervour of Indians settled in London. With an intriguing performance line-up, we are sure to keep the audience entertained and also provide information by showcasing acts and performances.” 

    Chhath Puja is an ancient religious festival observed by Hindu women in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand, and is performed around four days and worship the Sun God. The rituals include holy bathing, fasting, and presenting offerings to the rising and setting sun.

  • Big Ganga celebrates Siya Ram Ki Chhath, through its latest festive offering ‘Jai Chhathi Mai’

    Big Ganga celebrates Siya Ram Ki Chhath, through its latest festive offering ‘Jai Chhathi Mai’

    MUMBAI: Celebrating Bhojpuri essence with full gusto and excitement, Big Ganga has time and again launched captivating and engaging initiatives. It has constantly won the audience’s heart by serving them with entertaining and highly resonating content. Delivering a perfect dose of entertainment again while celebrating the biggest festival of the region, the Divine Chhath with its viewers, the channel is all set to take its annual musical event Jai Chhathi Mai a notch higher. Known to set many milestones on its journey to becoming one of the most popular channels in the region, Big Ganga, elevates the fervour of Chatth by celebrating Siya Ram Ki Chathh for the very first time in Bhojpuri entertainment space. This musical extravaganza will be telecast on 20 November from 5-7pm on Big Ganga.

    Widely revered across the region, the devotion that Lord Rama and Goddess Sita attain from their ardent devotees find its foundation deeply-rooted into Bhojpuri culture. The rituals of Chhath hold immense significance to Ram and Sita as per folklore dating back to the ancient time of Treta Yuga. The ancient belief states that Goddess Sita, on returning from exile, fasted and performed Chhath rituals for Lord Rama as he had committed Brahmdosh — the deed of killing Ravana, who was a high-class Brahmin and one of the most-learned men of the three realms. And based on this belief amongst many others, Chhath Puja has become an important Hindu festival which is observed by women in the regions of UP, Bihar and Jharkhand region. With Ram and Sita being the guiding light of our lives, the channel through this festive offering brings on board Arun Govil and Deepika Chikhalia, two personalities who represent the immense faith and the devotion that the region places in these gods. Having a penchant of knowing the pulse of their ardent Bhojpuri-speaking audience better than anyone else, the channel fosters its bond with them in these testing times by showcasing the origins of this ritual and offers them divine motivation through Divine Chhath.

    The show will bring to life the most unique moment of Siya Ram performing Chatth rituals at the Ganga Ghat and receiving Chathi Maiyaas blessings. The unique tale leading upto the Chatth Puja by the divine figures will be brought to life through an extravagant musical narrative show of two hours featuring Arun Govil and Deepika Chikhalia as Ram and Sita, so viewers can relive that special moment which has till date not been brought to life in popular entertainment space. The channel will be raising a motivating musical spiritual show in order to inspire its audience through divine spirit.

    Big Ganga’s shows enthrall and entertain audiences with its unique content, thereby making this platform apt for the whole family. The grand Chhath celebration this year not only motivates the audience to have faith in the divine power but will engage them in the biggest celebration from the safety of their homes. The channel has been enhancing and enriching regional pride through its new offerings. These new Bhojpuri shows are sure to entertain audiences with its unique content and placement, thereby making the channel an apt prime time viewing choice for the entire family. With more series like New Year special, Faguaa Holi special among others, the channel is all set to redefine entertainment and original content for its regional audience.

  • Sun TV Network posts Rs 345.91 crore profit in Q2

    Sun TV Network posts Rs 345.91 crore profit in Q2

    KOLKATA: Despite growth in subscription revenue, Sun TV Network’s profit for the second quarter declined 5.62 per cent to Rs 345.91 crore, from Rs.366.51 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.

    The revenues for the quarter stood at Rs 756.16 crore as against Rs 773 .93 crore for the corresponding quarter previous year. The total income for the quarter was at Rs 807.71 crore as against Rs 846.07 crore in Q2 FY19.

    However, it has reported a good growth in subscription revenue that is up by 14 per cent year-on-year Rs 427.04 crore compared to Rs 375.65 crore in the same quarter last year. EBITDA for the quarter is up by 7.10 per cent year over year standing at Rs 502.03 crore.

    “The stock is currently trading at 12.5x FY22E and 12x FY23E PER, which still appears to be reasonable given the strong balance sheet position, healthy cash reserves and potential buyback/dividend (current dividend yield of 6.25 per cent) which will augur well for investors, and provides upside potential despite weak ad revenues. We maintain accumulate with same TP of Rs 525 on 14.5x (unchanged) one-year forward P/E,” said Elara Capital VP research analyst (media) Karan Taurani.

    Taurani added that in terms of weekly viewership share data by BARC, the network has been losing viewership share for three consecutive months, slipping below 40 per cent mark on the back of relaxation of lockdown and resumption of new shows on rival channels in Tamil genre post July 2020. However, he said that the share of flagship channel Sun TV is expected to stabilize and largely move back to pre-Covid levels of over 40 per cent backed by the recently launched three new programs within the GEC genre.