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Times Now interview with Bal Thackeray

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MUMBAI: In what can be seen as an open invitation to his politically estranged nephew, Raj Thackeray, Bal Thackeray, speaking to TIMES NOW in his first exclusive TV interview since the Mumbai polls, says he can think of bringing Raj back into the Shiv Sena fold.

Talking extremely warmly about Raj, whose party failed to have much impact in the Mumbai polls, Balasaheb Thackeray said that “whatever the politics, ours is a blood relation” and that one could not rule out a coming together in the future.

However, the Shiv Sena supreme hinted that matters would first have to be resolved between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray. When asked whether the coming together of the Thackeray’s under one political umbrella was possible in the future, Bal Thackeray said that “It all depends upon the youngsters today, how they amicably resolve the thing (their differences)”

But Bal Thackeray also made it clear that it was up to Raj Thackeray to make the first public move of reconciliation. When pointedly asked whether he can think of bringing Raj back, Thackeray said that “I will not try, but if he wishes to, we (The Shiv Sena) will accept him back.

Thackeray then went on to say that while people like Raj Thackeray were welcome to return to the Sena, he would not take back others who deserted the party like former Maharashtra chief minister Narayan Rane.

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Bal Thackeray also went on to reveal that he and Raj Thackeray are in touch and that they often speak on the phone. When asked if their relationship could return to the warmth of the past, Balasaheb said “Whenever I want I talk to him. And he telephones me. What is wrong in that? Let us not mix up politics with relationships. Keep relations aside and think of politics alone. Definitely, don’t mix it”

Bal Thackeray’s comments and his open offer to Raj to return to the Sena is extremely significant, especially in the light of the Sena’s resounding success in the prestige Mumbai local elections recently.

 

The Interview with Bal Thackeray will be featured on “FRANKLY SPEAKING WITH ARNAB” on Sunday 18 February at 2.30 pm and 8.30 pm on Times Now

 

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Excerpts:

Arnab: You think the party under Uddhav Thackeray is being run well? And can be run well into the future?

Thackeray: I can’t say. This question there is no answer. There are always uncertainties in life. Now the Congress has completed around 120 years or something. Do you think that same old congress is there? But it is there. The old charm and that’s gone. The new generation will do it. I’m confident about the new generation.

Arnab: Wherever Raj Thackeray goes he still says that Balasheb is like God for me…

Thackeray: Maybe because our relationship was like that.

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Arnab: Can that relationship come back, Mr Thackeray?

Thackeray: Whenever I want I talk to him, he telephones me. What is wrong in that? Let us not mix up politics with relationships. Keep relations aside and think of politics alone. Definitely, don’t mix it.

Arnab: Do you think there can be a coming together in future? Some people…after these elections people said that don’t be surprised that Narayan Rane, Udhav Thackeray, Raj Thackeray are back where they started.

Thackeray: I may think of Raj but Mr Rane comes… he’s not welcome…

Arnab: You may think of bringing Raj back?

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Thackeray: I will not try but if he wishes to, we will accept him back and not people like Narayan Rane.

Arnab: What is it about Raj Thackeray that you would welcome him if he wishes to enter the party?

Thackeray: Whatever it is whatever the politics, ours is a blood relation… You can’t afford to be that cruel actually because of politics. At least it is not my nature. Let us not discuss that problem… it is a family matter.

Arnab: I understand but it is not something that can be ruled out in the future.

Thackeray: It all depends upon the youngsters today, how they amicably solve the thing

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Zabeen signs off from TV9 after shaping the network’s public voice

Communications leader exits after three years spanning MD office strategy and media outreach.

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MUMBAI: After more than three years of shaping the message behind the microphone, Sana Zabeen has moved on from TV9 Network, closing a chapter that saw her play a central role in the broadcaster’s communications and media strategy.

Zabeen most recently served as lead of PR and communication and media relations, a role she took on in April 2024. From the managing director’s office, she steered brand communication, managed media engagement and sharpened institutional messaging at a time when news networks have been under constant public and industry scrutiny.

Before that, she worked in communication and outreach within the MD’s office between January 2023 and April 2024, contributing to strategic positioning and stakeholder communication as the network expanded its footprint and narrative.

Her exit marks the end of a stint that built on a diverse media and marketing career. Prior to joining TV9, Zabeen was head of content and marketing at Nikology, where she led brand-led content strategies, media positioning and revenue-focused communication initiatives.

She has also held leadership roles at Bada Business Pvt. Ltd. as senior project manager, and spent over five years at Times Network, working in branded content and collaborating closely with marquee advertisers on integrated media solutions.

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Earlier in her career, Zabeen was associate producer at CNBC TV18, where she produced large-format branded properties and business features. She began her journalism journey as a correspondent covering enterprise technology with Web18 and Mobile18, laying a reporting foundation that later informed her strategic communications work.

As Zabeen turns the page, her trajectory reflects a professional who has moved fluidly between newsroom, branded content and boardroom communication, a mix that has become increasingly valuable in today’s media ecosystem.

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TVF appoints Amritansh Vajpeyee as associate producer/ head – new initiatives, strategy, IP & growth

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MUMBAI: The Viral Fever (TVF) has handed a wider mandate to Amritansh Vajpeyee, elevating him to associate producer and head of new initiatives, strategy, IP and growth, as the digital studio sharpens its push on original intellectual property and scalable formats.

The move crowns a swift in-house ascent. Vajpeyee has spent over three years at TVF, working across the president’s office, the executive producer’s office and development and innovation, before a stint as AVP. Each role tightened his grip on the levers of content, strategy and incubation inside one of India’s most influential youth-focused studios.

Before TVF, Vajpeyee built a hybrid profile straddling storytelling and law. He wrote for Pratilipi, trained in entertainment law at DSK Legal and handled IP-focused roles at TINNUTS and research centres linked to NLSIU Bengaluru. Early internships at SVF Entertainment and Hoichoi added on-ground exposure to production ecosystems, while a brief stint at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited rounded out a varied start.

For TVF, the elevation signals a preference for home-grown leaders who understand both the creative and commercial maths of streaming. For Vajpeyee, it is a bet that breadth beats linearity in the creator economy.

As platforms chase durable franchises over fleeting hits, TVF is doubling down on people who can spot, shape and scale ideas. Vajpeyee now sits at that crossroads—where scripts meet spreadsheets and IP is the real star.

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Sanjeev Sharma appointed head of government sales at ABP Network

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NOIDA: ABP Network has strengthened its government-facing business with the appointment of Sanjeev Sharma as head of government sales, adding an experienced hand to its senior commercial leadership.

Sharma joins the broadcaster after a stint of over a year at Zee Media, where he served as business head for government sales. There, he worked closely with public sector advertisers and agencies, navigating the intersection of policy, media strategy and large-scale outreach.

In his new role at ABP Network, Sharma will be responsible for driving government advertising initiatives across the group’s platforms, aligning public communication goals with the network’s expansive news and digital footprint.

Sharma brings with him nearly three decades of experience in sales and marketing. Over the years, he has held senior leadership roles across the media and pharmaceutical sectors, working with prominent organisations including Network18 Media, Star India, Reliance Broadcast Network, Nicholas Piramal and Zydus Cadila.

At ABP Network, Sharma is expected to play a key role in sharpening the group’s government sales strategy, ensuring it speaks clearly, consistently and effectively to one of the media industry’s most influential stakeholders.

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