ITV

Tag: Markand Adhikari

  • 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.

  • Sri Adhikari Brothers partners with Dhamaal 4 franchise for laugh riot revival

    Sri Adhikari Brothers partners with Dhamaal 4 franchise for laugh riot revival

    MUMBAI: The venerable Sri Adhikari Brothers has thrown its  hat into the comedy ring, announcing a partnership with Maruti Films to produce Dhamaal 4, the latest instalment in the wildly popular Hindi cinema comedy franchise. The deal pairs the media mogul with the acclaimed duo of Inder Kumar and Ashok Thakeria, creating what promises to be a match made in slapstick heaven.

    With more than four decades in Indian media, Sri Adhikari Brothers brings considerable heft to the project. The company has cast its net widely across the entertainment landscape, with ventures in broadcasting, content production, digital platforms, film production, VFX studios and news publications. To date, the group has launched seven broadcasting channels, produced or been associated with more than 10 feature films, and amassed a content library stretching to 6,000 hours.

    Sr Adhikari Bros chairman Markand Adhikari could barely contain his glee at the announcement: “Our aim is always to branch out into all verticals of media and grasp new opportunities. We are delighted to be associated with Maruti Film International, Inder Kumar and Ashok Thakeria for multiple projects in coming years, including the popular franchise of laugh riot Dhamaal.”

    Industry insiders suggest this partnership could inject fresh comedic blood into the Dhamaal series, which has had audiences rolling in the aisles since its debut. Kumar and Thakeria’s knack for producing box office gold combined with Adhikari’s media savvy might just be the secret sauce needed to keep the franchise’s funny bone intact.

    For Indian cinema-goers bored of the same old song and dance, Dhamaal 4 promises to be just what the doctor ordered—a hearty dose of mirth medicine. With filming expected to commence later this year, fans should prepare their funny muscles for a thorough workout.

  • Prasar Bharati’s bold OTT leap with Adhikari Brothers

    Prasar Bharati’s bold OTT leap with Adhikari Brothers

    MUMBAI: Have you ever wondered what happens when two iconic Indian media powerhouses join forces? The answer is an unprecedented expansion of content horizons, blending tradition with innovation.

    Prasar Bharati, India’s revered public broadcaster, has unveiled a landmark strategic alliance with Sri Adhikari Brothers Digital Network Pvt. Ltd., promising to redefine the country’s entertainment landscape. This partnership aims to bring premium and diverse content from Sri Adhikari Brothers to Prasar Bharati’s Waves OTT platform and linear television channels, ensuring something for every viewer.

    This collaboration symbolises a reunion of historic allies, rooted in shared values and a deep commitment to quality entertainment. Under the agreement, Mastiii, Dabangg, and Maiboli, Sri Adhikari Brothers’ popular channels, will now be accessible on Waves, enriching its library with vibrant, family-friendly, and youth-centric programming.

    Sri Adhikari Brothers Network chairman emeritus, Markand Adhikari reminisced, “Gautam (my brother) and I started our career with Doordarshan, and whatever Adhikari Brothers is today is because of the massive reach of Doordarshan. We feel like it’s a homecoming, and I am confident that, once again, we will provide quality entertainment for our audiences. We are proud of our legacy with Doordarshan.”

    The partnership extends beyond content distribution, focusing on co-developing fresh, innovative programming to cater to contemporary audiences. With an eye on culturally rich and socially relevant content, this alliance aims to bridge generational gaps while embracing digital advancements.

    What does this mean for viewers? Waves will become the go-to destination for diverse entertainment, boasting the best of regional hits, family dramas, and youth-focused shows. The inclusion of Mastiii, Dabangg, and Maiboli strengthens the platform’s appeal, making it a versatile hub for modern-day audiences.

    Sri Adhikari Brothers MD Kailasnath Adhikari expressed his excitement, “I have grown up watching Doordarshan and I call it my home. We are filled with nothing but pride and will always put our best foot forward to carry on this association for times to come.”

    What’s next?

    This collaboration is more than a content-sharing deal—it is a step forward in enriching India’s entertainment ecosystem. By blending Prasar Bharati’s 50+ years of broadcast legacy with Sri Adhikari Brothers’ modern approach, this alliance signals a promising era for both traditional and digital platforms.

    Is this the beginning of a broader trend in Indian media partnerships? Only time will tell.

  • “India is not yet developed to venture into TV pay model”: Sri Adhikari Brothers’ Markand Adhikari

    “India is not yet developed to venture into TV pay model”: Sri Adhikari Brothers’ Markand Adhikari

    15 September 1959 saw a small transmitter and a makeshift studio in a corner of Delhi give birth to terrestrial television. Decades later in 1990, India saw the arrival of private television channels. When saas-bahu dramas ruled, SAB TV is credited for putting a smile on the face of the Indian audience with the launch of India’s first and only comedy channel. After acquiring relevant experience in the fields of advertising, marketing and media publicity, Markand Adhikari, along with his late brother Gautam Adhikari, started Sri Adhikari Brothers (SAB) Group – in 1985 as a partnership firm. Later, it went on to become the first publicly-listed television production company in India when it was listed on the BSE in 1995.

    The company initially created regional language programs in Marathi and Gujarati and then moved on to producing Hindi programs on the Doordarshan. With the advent of satellite channels in India, SAB started producing serials for Zee TV. The group had numerous channels like SAB TV (now owned by Sony Networks), Mi Marathi & Mastii. The group made regional channels for rural parts of India like Dabangg, Dhamaal and Dillagi. The duo further forayed into films.

    Sri Adhikari Brothers co-founder Markand Adhikari, in an insightful fireside chat with indiantelevision.com founder, CEO and editor in chief Anil Wanvari, got candid about his journey, plan going forward, advertising and subscription model in television and more.

    Edited Excerpts:

    You have been a part of television industry for 40 decades; can you tell us more about your journey?

    When Doordarshan started in India, it only used to telecast an infotainment show called Krishi Darshan. When I was just a teenager, I met then information and broadcasting minister Vasant Sathe to discuss the chances of bringing commercial shows in India just like the west. At that time, he only asked me to look outside the window and asked me what do you see, I said I could see green trees and a colourful world. He explained to me about vision to bring colour television in India which was heavily criticised back then. Somehow, he accepted my proposal to create a show with Shashi Sharma. It started the era of sponsorship programs on television. We did sponsorship programs on Doordarshan for quite a few years then we ventured into regional space with LPTS (Low Power Transmission). We connected to the regional centres of Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Bandini became the first serial for Bombay Doordarshan. We carried a lot of shows for Doordarshan from the mid 80s to 1991.

    My late brother Gautam Adhikari’s name was registered in Limca book of world records for directing the maximum number of shows. I made Commander with Essel Group chairman Dr Subhash Chandra and I learned a lot from him. With the help of Jeetendra Kapoor (veteran Bollywood actor), I met Ketan Somaiya, a Nairobi-based entrepreneur who used to run an Asia channel in London with Amitabh Bachchan. We created a show called Waqt for him for $11,000 per episode and at that time import and export were free. The show had 52 episodes but due to some non-payment issues, the show was stalled at 26 episodes. After this, I again switched back to Doordarshan because Zee never used to give rights to the shows. DD Metro was recently launched where I did popular shows like Shriman Shrimati and All The Best. At that time, it was Rs 1,20,000 for 10-second spots on DD Metro. Doordarshan wanted us to make an afternoon soap within 15 days. I spoke to TV Asia about my 52 episodes out of which I was only paid for 26 episodes. I imported the pending episodes on half of the rate. Starting with 52 episodes I made Waqt Ki Raftaar which eventually had 600 episodes.

    What happened after you listed your company in 1995?

    Due to the Harshad Mehta Scam, the entire stock market suffered until 1998. Finally, in 1999 the economy was witnessing a boom then I realised it is the perfect time to start our own channel. The main challenge was we were always in production. Broadcasting was altogether a new experience. Our financial adviser only gave the plan of Rs 115 crore for the channel but to launch a channel it was too less. Then with the limited amount at my disposal, I started SAB TV in 2000. Again, due to Ketan Parikh’s scam, the economy was in shambles still we managed to run the channel for five years. We were a trend-setter by bringing a niche comedy channel. Sony Networks took over SAB in 2005, which till date is my biggest regret. However, I am happy that SAB is a big brand. After SAB TV we started two news channels Janmat and Mi Marathi which later I sold at a good price.

    What do you think about the future of television?

    Television in India is not going to die so soon, it will at least stay for another ten years. In the typical Indian household, it is still a culture to watch TV together. Most of the people are not aware of the multi-set concept or firesticks. However, one of the benefits with digital channels is that it is moving whereas television is static. Television is appointment viewing, on the other hand, digital is infinite. But digital requires a lot of capital investment. One cannot enter the digital market with a three-year plan.

    Are you looking at OTT content production?

    Our next-generation has already ventured to digital space with a series called Dheet Patangey that was uploaded on Disney+ Hotstar. It is directed by Gautam Adhikari’s son Ravi. My son Kailashnath and Ravi already have close to five shows which are almost done.

    Television is heavily dependent on advertisers; do you think subscription-based models will be a viable option in the long run?

    As far as television is concerned, I think in India most of the channels will be dependent on ad revenue. Also, I believe India is not yet developed to sustain on a pay model. There are broadcasters, MSO, semi-MSOs and then cable operators who collect money from individual households. So it has a lot of loopholes and layers in between which needs to be identified. There is a lack of transparency. At the same time advertising models will not work on digital platforms because audiences are now used to watching OTT content ad-free.

    What are your thoughts on IPL which is expected to happen during Diwali? Also, will it benefit all the channels or only sports channels?

    I believe it is good news; it is creating a moment with the advertising world and advertisers. IPL or any other cricket forms were running in the same manner as it was before Covid2019. Advertising spends were created keeping all the channels in mind; it was just not for sports channels. I don’t think so IPL will impact the revenue of any other channel.

    According to media planners, 30 per cent of advertising spends are kept for IPL, so do you think it will impact other channels?

    It is not a new scenario. In fact, it is a testing time for other channels, where we will get to see how they perform when IPL arrives.

  • Sri Adhikari Brothers to announce winners of migrant talent recognition programme ‘Hunar’ from 21 July

    Sri Adhikari Brothers to announce winners of migrant talent recognition programme ‘Hunar’ from 21 July

    MUMBAI: Recently, Sri Adhikari Brothers, through an  innovative programme called Hunar had opened a gateway of employment to the less fortunate migrants, who have been rendered jobless, were deprived of opportunities, and were forced to return to their villages. 

    The programme, which was designed to facilitate skilled migrants with job opportunities by transferring skills and promoting innovation will announce its winners starting from today, 21 July.

    To make the programme a success, Sri Adhikari Brothers used their channels Mastiii, Dabangg and MaiBoli along with their digital platforms to call out millions of migrants who might have any talent that they would want to showcase. Be it dancing, singing, acting or any other performing arts, all were welcome. 

    Hunar promises a direct bank transfer to up to a thousand accounts every month whose talent is chosen to be the deserving one. Sri Adhikari Brothers, through its association, would further attempt to maximise growth for the talent by providing them with a break in suitable professional opportunities.

    The programme received an unprecedented response wherein a huge number of migrants sent in their videos. On seeing the widespread talent of the nation, Sri Adhikari Brothers MD and group vice chairman Markand Adhikari said, “My vision is to design a structure for the migrants that give them hope, provides them with employment and belief in themselves to be Aatma Nirbhar by reaching out to millions of Indians in a planned manner.”

    “I am amazed to see the kind of talent that is hidden within the deep interiors of the country. Though dozens of talent shows have been organised in the past which did an incredible job in exploring hidden talent and giving them opportunities to outshine, several migrants could not get a chance to showcase their skills in these shows, probably because they were occupied with ongoing engagements and occupation. However, during the crisis when they need a helping hand the most, I hope that we can be a catalyst, not just for some income but also to help them build a career basis their talent over a while,” he added.

  • Sri Adhikari Brothers to take care of 1000 lockdown-hit families

    Sri Adhikari Brothers to take care of 1000 lockdown-hit families

    Mumbai: Sri Adhikari Brothers, in response to the appeal made by the prime minister to the nation, has pledged to take care of 1000 needy families affected by the ongoing lockdown until the COVID19 pandemic gets over.

    To ensure seamless and swift action, the media and entertainment conglomerate has associated with BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, which is globally known for its social services.

    Sri Adhikari Brothers MD Markand Adhikari said: “We are amidst a global crisis and there is no real clarity on how soon we will see normalcy. Our country is no exception to these unforeseen circumstances. Thus in line with the appeal made by our prime minister, we are doing our bit. In addition to providing external help, we are ensuring that our employees who are our pillars of growth remain unaffected. No pay cuts or lay-offs will be done despite impact on the economy."

    "Out of India’s total population of 1.39 billion, it is adjudged that 10 per cent of Indians hold 80 per cent of the country’s wealth. Today is the time for them to take responsibility and give the nation back in its time of need. If even five per cent of them help 10 families each, imagine the mammoth help that the nation will receive. It may reduce the impact of the economic crisis drastically.”

    In addition to financial help, Sri Adhikari Brothers also believes that those who are staying home for the larger good are doing a great service to the nation.

    People are not just helping themselves, but the entire country by staying indoors. At such times, keeping the morale high and staying positive is important. Its most popular sitcom ‘ShrimaanShrimati’ is already on air and to further help ease the quarantine times has opened up its library to national broadcaster Doordarshan to help entertain “Bharat” during these trying times.

  • Markand Adhikari re-appointed by TV Vision as MD for three years

    Markand Adhikari re-appointed by TV Vision as MD for three years

    MUMBAI: TV Vision has re-appointed Markand Adhikari as managing director of the company for next three years. The appointment is subject to approval from the members at the ensuing General Meeting of the company.

    Adikari began his career with an advertising agency in the eighties along with his brother. He was instrumental in creating a successful association with national network Doordarshan, enabling SABTNL to become the first content production house to be listed on the stock exchange in 1995.

    He has more than 35 years of experience in the media and entertainment industry. He has also enjoyed a decent run as a film producer. Adhikari serves as chairman at Media Private Limited (formerly known as SAB events and governance).

    Under his leadership, the group became the first publicly listed television production company in the country. He has spearheaded many ventures like SAB TV, Janmat, Mee Marathi, and Mastiii.

    Adhikari holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Bombay.

  • Reliance Big DTH to take FTA route under new management?

    Reliance Big DTH to take FTA route under new management?

    MUMBAI:  Is another free-to-air (FTA) DTH operator pawing to take off in India? If the statements made by the Pantel Technologies (the company that took over the ailing Reliance Big DTH) management in media releases are to be believed, then the answer is in the affirmative.

    Yesterday, Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network and Pantel Technologies announced through a release on the Bombay Stock Exchange that the companies had arrived at an understanding to jointly create a bouquet of over 20 FTA channels comprising diverse genres, such as entertainment, kids, infotainment, mythological, and movies.

    The release further stated that “the varied product offering will strengthen the business of Reliance Big TV (RBTV) and will give a leg up to the largest FTA network in India. FTA channels have shown an upsurge with all the leading broadcasters showing a keen interest in the FTA product offering.”

    Pantel Technologies CMD Vijendra Singh was quoted in the release as saying: “Our main aim is to develop the entertainment appetite of the rural market and create an alternative India. With our coalition with Sab Group, we will bring together our technological proficiency and their content expertise thereby enabling us to provide good content for rural India, which is what we are committed to for their upliftment.”

    Pantel had acquired the entire shareholding of RBTV with the business on an “as-is, where-is” basis. The transaction ensured that all 1.2 million customers of Big TV would continue to enjoy uninterrupted services, the company said in a statement. The deal also ensured continuity of employment for about 500 employees of RBTV.

    Attempts to connect with SAB group managing director Markand Adhikari and Singh were not successful.

    However, if Indiantelevision.com’s interpretation of the announcement today is correct, then it should prove encouraging for private broadcasters. The  Prasar Bharti-owned FTA service FreeDish has been an unmitigated success but its future looks in doubt with conflicting reports appearing about whether the powers that be want to continue providing the slots to private players. According to sources in the public sector Prasar Bharti, minister of information and broadcasting Smriti Irani has put a full stop to the e-auction process as the government wants to populate the FreeDish platform with its own channels.

    Also Read:  Veecon Media acquires Reliance Big TV

    Sab Group, Pantel Tech join hands to launch over 20 FTA channels

    Reliance launches JioTV for web

  • Sab Group, Pantel Tech join hands to launch over 20 FTA channels

    Sab Group, Pantel Tech join hands to launch over 20 FTA channels

    MUMBAI: Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network Ltd and Pantel Technologies have entered into an understanding to jointly create a bouquet of over 20 channels comprising diverse genres such as entertainment, kids, infotainment, mythological, and movies. Pantel Technologies recently acquired the business of Reliance Big DTH, from the Anil Ambani group.

    Sab Group’s release to the BSE stated that “the varied product offering will strengthen the business of Reliance DTH Big TV and will give a leg up to the largest FTA (free-to-air) network in India. FTA channels have shown an upsurge with all the leading broadcasters showing keen interest in the FTA product offering.”

    Tapping the immense potential of the rural segment and to provide them good quality family entertainment, the collaboration aims to create   bouquet. This would usher in a new era of entertainment for the rural market, the release added.

    Markand Adhikari, chairman and MD, SAB Group, said, “Sab Group has laid down the   foundation in content creation since the inception of media in India and has profound expertise and understanding of content. With technological capabilities of Pantel Technologies, our dream to provide the right mix of content to the entire nation will be fulfilled.”

    Pantel Technologies CMD, Vijendra Singh, said, “Our main aim is to develop the entertainment appetite of the rural market and create an alternative India. With our coalition with SABGroup, we will bring together our technological proficiency and their content expertise thereby enabling us to provide good content for rural India which is what we are committed to for their upliftment.”

    Sab Group currently runs five channels: Mastiii (a music and youth channel); Dabangg (focusing on Hindi heartland of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand); Maiboli (a Marathi entertainment channel); Dillagi (a channel dedicated to the rural India); and Dhamaal Gujarat (a music and youth channel for Gujarat).

    Pantel Technologies, an information technology and communication devices company, sells tablet PCs under the brand Penta T-Pads in India, GCC, south east Asia and African markets.

    Also read:

    Reliance Big TV acquisition: Pantel Tech joins the fray

    SAB realigns Dhanda’s position as TV Vision CEO

    SAB’s Happii-Fi to target multiple genres, gets 3m views online

  • SAB to extend its wings into digital; to produce an array of shows

    SAB to extend its wings into digital; to produce an array of shows

    MUMBAI: Known to be one of the pillars of Indian media, the Sri Adhikari Brothers (SAB) group founded by Gautam and Markand Adhikari, has plans to enter the digital space with a new initiative. The group will create original comedy content in Hindi catering to the digital masses. The various shows will be launched under Happii-Fi and will roll-out by June.

    Through this initiative, the company plans to have strategic tie-ups with various OTT platforms, OEM’s and telecos. “Happii-fi will create comedy content in Hindi for the masses unlike the rest who create content to match with the English elite sensibilities. There are several hundred million online active users who have come up, but there is no platform that completely caters to them. We have already started the productions”, informs Sab Group chief executive officer Manav Dhanda.

    As there are different output commitments for various platforms, the group has not decided on the specific number of videos that it intends to produce. The branded content will derive its revenue from the many advertisers on board, although the IP rights will remain with SAB Group.

    The platform will only stress on Hindi language and is primarily focused on HSM markets which consume 40 per cent of all online content.

    “There are too many platforms which are not required. A person can only hold access to 3 or 4 platforms on a smart-phone. Creating one more would not solve anything. Hence, we decided on producing content which the audience can relate to”, adds Dhanda.

    The group has already produced a digital comedy show titled Gharbar which features Shakti Kapoor, Neelu Kohli, Rishab Chadda, Rakesh Shrivastav and Vaishali Thakkar. The show has been conceptualized by Dhanda and is directed by Sagar Bellary of the Bheja fry fame. It depicts a twisted take on the modern Indian family and their adventures when they decide to bring in a bar into their home. The series features Shakti Kapoor as Sharmaji the most seedha (staright forward) man ever.
    Promising a very unique doze of humor like never before, the series portrays BAR as a lead protagonist.

    Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network Ltd. (SABTNL) has been producing multi-lingual, multi-genre content and already has an established regional presence in various Indian languages including Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada amongst others.

    The group not only has a fair amount of experience in the production of content, but also in the broadcasting sector by creating a light humour centric television brand, SAB TV. With many firsts in its hat, it will be interesting to see how far this initiative takes the SAB group.