News Broadcasting

Day 2 at Anigraph ’04: The industry participates

Published

22 years ago

June 26, 2004

MUMBAI: No doubt that India is yet to witness an actual trade fair like MIPCom, but it was heartening nevertheless, to see some of the key players of Indian animation sit together for the plenary session at Day two Anigraph 2004.

Plenary session at Anigraph ’04 :Localisation of
Indian Animation
Amongst the panelists were Jadooworks COO Ashish Kulkarni, Animation Bridge CEO Biren Ghose, UTVtoons head Jyotirmoy Saha, Escotoonz CEO Aspi Mehta, 2nz CEO Kireet Khurana, Padmalaya’s Rajiv Sangari and Pentamedia’s Nirmala Nath. The topic discussed was ‘Localisation of Indian animation’. The panelists were of the opinion that globalisation not localisation was what would drive Indian animation ahead.

The plenary sessions were significant not because anything path breaking or new was discussed, but because of the fact that the industry figures came together under one roof to discuss issues. There is strength in numbers and the collective discussion augurs well for the industry.

Earlier in the day there were some wonderful presentations. IS Mathur an academic consultant, formerly with the NID and currently consultant to Zica asked the audience to differentiate between need based education and value based education. He stressed on the importance of 2D classical animation saying that new technologies and machines will come and go but the basics and fundamentals of animation remain the same. He compared 3D artists who claim to be animators as bathroom singers saying, “A professional singer needs to have a strong classical base, he needs to know the seven notes of music, similarly a professional animator needs to have a strong classical base and needs to know of all the processes involved in 3D.”

Mathur was also very vocal about the pathetic drawing skills in the country. Lamenting that 40 per cent of the institute’s time and efforts spent in teaching and brushing up drawing skills of students which could have been better spent for teaching animation film making skills.

The smug Biren Ghose gave a talk on the business of Animation. Coining new words such as ‘ANIMONEY’ (money made out of animation) and ‘5D’ (projects made by combining 2D + 3D). Ghose stated that intangible assets such as Goodwill, processes, knowledge and experience were the X factor needed for studios to succeed. Citing the example of Bazee.com which was recently taken over by Ebay on the basis of the intangible value and potential that had been created around the brand. The exuberant Ghose urged the audience to aspire, saying “While you work and earn money,devote some time to developing ideas. Do not limit yourself,” he said Kulkarni on Infrastructure

Jadooworks COO Ashish Kulkarni delivered a tight and focussed speech on how proper infrastructure was essential to smooth running of a studio. He stressed on the need for good infrastructure, the challenges one faced in setting it up and the benefits that accrue. Kulkarni had a cautionary note for studios that use pirated software saying that this led to unhealthy competition and under cutting. He also said that software makers in the US sometimes do approach clients asking them to shift outsourcing to other countries as piracy was rampant in India.

Kulkarni also stressed on the importance of owning licenses to a wide variety of software and the necessity of urging the workforce to be comfortable with all software. “This proves to be useful as each project demands a different treatment and requires technicians and animators alike, to be well versed with the various software.”

The two sessions on 2D and 3D animation delivered by Aargha Sengupta of Maya entertainment and Prince from ZICA were also very informative.

While Aargha demonstrated with illustrations the various elements of animation like anticipation, squash and stretch, Prince explained in detail on shapes and their psychological effects. He also discussed stereotypes and had many interesting illustrations (poetry too) to get his point across.

Indiantelevision.com’s Animation Express made an announcement inviting the students to share a sample of their best work. The illustrations (character or background) will be carried over a period of time in the forthcoming issues of the newsletter giving the students an opportunity to publicise their work.

As Day 2 neared to an end, one could see contented smiles on the organiser’s faces. They had promised a lot from the event and it seemed to be on course to deliver. Not solid solutions but at least a platform to seek them collectively.

It must be mentioned that CgA World held last month was a commendable effort too. The industry needs three to four more annual events like these to create what could be likened to an Indian animation grand slam.

Even as these workshops, tutor fests and conferences continue, One question still persists… When will India have its own animation trade fairs where actual business deals will take place?

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News Broadcasting

Barc forensic audit in TRP row awaits as Twenty-Four probe gathers pace

Published

4 weeks ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

KERALA: A forensic audit commissioned by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India has emerged as the centrepiece of the government’s response to fresh allegations of television rating point manipulation involving a regional news channel in Kerala, with both the audit findings and a parallel police investigation still awaited.

Replying to a query in the Lok Sabha, minister of state for information and broadcasting L Murugan, said Barc had appointed an independent agency to conduct a forensic probe into the conduct of senior personnel allegedly linked to the case.

The move followed media reports claiming that a Barc employee had accepted bribes to manipulate viewership data in favour of a regional television news channel.

“The report from BARC is still awaited,” Murugan told Parliament, signalling that the forensic exercise remains ongoing.

Industry specialists say forensic audits are crucial in alleged TRP fraud cases, as they examine internal controls, data access trails, panel household integrity, staff communications and financial transactions. The outcome could determine whether the alleged manipulation was an isolated breach or a deeper systemic weakness in India’s television measurement framework.

Running alongside the audit, the Kerala Police has formed a special investigation team to probe the allegations. The ministry has sought a preliminary report from the state’s director general of police, including details of action taken on the first information report. That report, too, is yet to be submitted.

The episode has revived long-standing concerns over the vulnerability of India’s TRP system, particularly in regional news markets where competition for ratings is fierce and advertising revenues hinge on weekly viewership rankings.

India’s sole television audience measurement body Barc, has faced scrutiny before, most notably during the nationwide TRP controversy involving news channels in 2020. While tighter compliance norms were introduced in the aftermath, the latest allegations suggest enforcement challenges may persist.

On regulatory consequences, the government said any punitive action against television channels, including suspension or cancellation of uplinking and downlinking permissions, would be governed by the Policy Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Television Channels issued in November 2022, and would depend on investigation outcomes and due process.

The ministry also pointed to ongoing efforts to overhaul the ratings ecosystem. Television measurement continues to be regulated under the Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies, 2014. Draft amendments were released for public consultation in July 2025, followed by a revised version in November 2025, aimed at tightening audit mechanisms and improving transparency and representativeness.

In November 2025, Barc said it had taken note of allegations aired by Malayalam news channel Twenty-Four, which linked an internal employee to irregularities in audience measurement. The council said it had engaged a “reputed independent agency” to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit, underscoring the seriousness of the claims.

The ratings system sits at the heart of India’s broadcast advertising economy, shaping billions of rupees in annual ad spends. With trust in audience data once again under strain, advertisers, broadcasters and regulators are closely watching the outcome of the investigations.

Barc has urged industry stakeholders and media organisations to exercise restraint while the probe is underway, calling for an end to “unverified or speculatory claims” and reiterating its commitment to integrity and accountability.

Until the forensic audit and police findings are submitted and reviewed, the government said it would refrain from drawing conclusions.

News Broadcasting

Rajat Sharma defamation row: Delhi court summons Congress leaders Ragini Nayak, Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh

Published

4 weeks ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has ordered the summoning of senior Congress leaders Ragini Nayak, Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh in a criminal case filed by veteran journalist Rajat Sharma, sharpening a legal battle over alleged defamation and doctored digital content.

The order was passed on Monday by Devanshi Janmeja, judicial magistrate first class at Saket Courts, after the court found prima facie grounds to proceed under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including forgery, creation of false electronic records and defamation.

Sharma, chairman and editor-in-chief of India TV, had approached the court over allegations made in June 2024 that he had used derogatory language against Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak during a live television debate. He denied the charge, claiming it was fuelled by a manipulated video circulated online.

According to the complaint, a clipped version of the broadcast carrying superimposed captions, which were not part of the original programme, was first shared on social media platform X by Nayak and later amplified through retweets and public statements by Khera and Ramesh. Sharma said the viral spread caused serious reputational harm and personal distress.

The court took note of forensic science laboratory findings that pointed to visible post-production alterations in the video, including added titles and captions. It also cited witness testimonies from those present during the live broadcast, who stated that no abusive or objectionable language had been used.

In a related civil matter, the Delhi High Court had earlier observed a prima facie absence of abusive remarks and directed the removal of the disputed social media posts.

With criminal proceedings now set in motion, the case adds to mounting scrutiny around political messaging, digital manipulation and accountability on social media platforms.

News Broadcasting

Mukesh Ambani, Larry Fink come together for CNBC-TV18 exclusive

Reliance and BlackRock chiefs map the future of investing as global capital eyes India

Published

4 weeks ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: India’s capital story takes centre stage today as Mukesh Ambani and Larry Fink sit down for a rare joint television conversation, bringing together two of the most powerful voices in global business at a moment of economic churn and opportunity.

The Reliance Industries chief and the BlackRock boss will speak with Shereen Bhan, managing editor of CNBC-TV18, in an exclusive interaction airing from 3:00 pm on February 4. The timing is deliberate. Geopolitics are tense, technology is disruptive and capital is choosier. India, meanwhile, is pitching itself as a long-term bet.

The pairing is symbolic. Reliance straddles energy transition, digital infrastructure and consumer growth in the world’s fastest-expanding major economy. BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, oversees more than $14 tn in assets and sits at the nerve centre of global capital flows. When the two talk, markets tend to listen.

Fink’s appearance marks his third India visit, a signal of the country’s rising strategic weight for the Wall Street-listed firm, which carries a market value above $177 bn. His earlier 2023 trips included an October stop in New Delhi, where he met both Ambani and Narendra Modi.

India is now central to BlackRock’s expansion plans, notably through its joint venture with Jio Financial Services. Announced in July 2023, the 50:50 venture, JioBlackRock, commits up to $150 mn each from the partners to build a digital-first asset-management platform aimed at India’s swelling investor class.

The backdrop is robust. BlackRock ended 2025 with record assets under management of $14.04 tn, helped by $698 bn in net inflows, including $342 bn in the fourth quarter alone. Scale gives Fink both heft and a long lens on where money is moving.

He has been openly bullish on India. At the Saudi-US Investment Summit in Riyadh last year, Fink argued that the “fog of global uncertainty is lifting”, with capital returning to dynamic markets such as India, drawn by reforms, demographics and durable return potential.

Expect the conversation to range beyond balance sheets, into technology’s role in finance, access to capital and the mechanics of sustainable growth in a fracturing world order. For investors and policymakers alike, it is a snapshot of how big money is thinking about India.

At a time when capital is cautious and growth is contested, India wants to be the exception. When Ambani and Fink share a stage, it is less a chat and more a signal. The world’s money is still looking for its next big story, and India intends to be it.