Tag: Reliance Industries Ltd

  • Debut alert: Ansh Duggal in ‘Nakhrewaalii’ by Jio Studios & Colour Yellow Productions!

    Debut alert: Ansh Duggal in ‘Nakhrewaalii’ by Jio Studios & Colour Yellow Productions!

    Mumbai: Jio Studios and Aanand L Rai’s production house, Colour Yellow Productions, are all set to light up the Indian film industry with their latest project, “Nakhrewaalii,” featuring the promising talent Ansh Duggal in the lead role.

    Known for providing opportunities to emerging talent in the world of cinema, Colour Yellow Productions has chosen Ansh Duggal as the leading star of this exciting adventure, marking the beginning of a journey that guarantees to captivate audiences with its innovation and creativity. The film will be directed by Rahul Shanklya and goes on floors today. The movie will be produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Aanand L Rai and Himanshu Sharma.

    This film promises to be a complete entertainer, offering a plethora of emotions that will strike a chord with audiences across India. A glimpse of the film’s theme can be seen in the introductory video, which will pique your interest in this romantic comedy.

    Ansh Duggal, the lead actor, expressed his excitement about the project, stating, “I am thrilled and honoured to be making my acting debut with Anand sir and our director Rahul Shanklya. It is truly a dream come true and I’m looking forward to this incredible journey. Today is the beginning of an exciting chapter in my life. With utmost gratitude, I’m ready to give it my all.”

    For a taste of the announcement, watch the video here:

    This film also marks the second collaboration between Aanand L Rai’s Colour Yellow Productions and Jio Studios, following their recent announcement of the Marathi franchise “Jhimma 2.” As production begins for “Nakhrewaalii,” fans and movie lovers eagerly anticipate the exciting partnership between Colour Yellow Productions and Jio Studios. The journey of creating “Nakhrewaalii” promises to be an extraordinary one, filled with creativity, entertainment, and laughter.

    Colour Yellow Productions has a rich history of crafting endearing and unforgettable characters that have impacted Indian cinema. Films like “Shubh Mangal Saavdhan,” “Tanu Weds Manu,” and “Raanjhanaa” have achieved iconic status, and “Nakhrewaalii” is poised to continue this tradition.

    Jio Studios, the media and content arm of Reliance Industries Ltd was set up in 2018 to build a pure-play content studio focused on developing, producing, and owning intellectual property in films, web series and other content in Hindi and all other major Indian languages. It is the largest studio by far in terms of the number of content assets produced, with critical acclaim not far behind with 16 films and web series of Jio Studios sweeping over 100 awards in India and internationally in the last five years. Jio Studios is designed to be the key catalyst that powers Jio’s distribution platforms and services with world-class entertainment content.

  • News18 Bangla announces special Durga Puja programming lineup

    News18 Bangla announces special Durga Puja programming lineup

    Mumbai: As the auspicious festival of Durga Puja approaches, News18 Bangla has announced a series of exciting and unique programs for its viewers. With the aim of celebrating the essence of this grand festival, the channel has announced its most comprehensive coverage to date, which features a display of more than 2000 Durga Pujas from West Bengal’s rural and semi-urban areas under the programming name “Zilar Sera”.

    Durga Puja, the most celebrated festival in West Bengal, is synonymous with grandeur, culture, and tradition. News18 Bangla is committed to bringing the festivities closer to viewers, no matter where they are. From remote corners of every district to the bustling city streets, ‘Zilar Sera’ promises an immersive experience that showcases the grandeur of the Durga Puja from across Bengal.

    News18 Bangla has also lined up a variety of unique programs to ensure viewers have a memorable Durga Puja season –

    Durga Puja Bulletin: A 30-minute non-stop pre-Puja bulletin that provides a sneak peek into the festival’s preparations, the latest fashion trends, mouthwatering culinary delights, and heartwarming Durga Puja stories from across Bengal.

    Pujor Adda: Exploring the culture of Bengali Adda, watch an informal chat show in which celebrities from various fields will share their favourite Pujo experiences and lighten the air with heartfelt Pujo songs.

    Dashobhuja: Celebrating the power of women, News18 Bangla will shine a spotlight on 10 remarkable women who have triumphed over societal challenges, inspiring countless others. We proudly call them the Dashobhuja of our society.

    Sera Abasan & Kolkatar Sera: These programs seamlessly blend on-air programming with on-ground activations. News18 Bangla will recognize and honor the best Durga Puja celebrations organized by clubs, committees, and RWA complexes through an extensive screening process involving students from art colleges, artists, and celebrities.

    Khabordar: The acclaimed prime-time show ‘Khabordar’ takes viewers on an adventure as a fearless woman biker explores the state on her bike, uncovering exclusive stories. This Puja, ‘Khabordar’ will reveal lesser-known Durga Puja stories and delve into the history of Bonedi Bari & Raj Bari.

    News18 Bangla is thankful and grateful to its sponsors and partners for making this a colossal event. The presentation sponsors are JIS Group and SNU, it is co-powered by Reliance Industries Ltd and Dear Government Lotteries, and special partners B.N. Ghati, Bimal Saree Center, IIHM, and Wild Stone. Additionally, Samata Co-operative Development Bank and Super Power Detergent have joined as associate sponsors, enhancing the overall Puja experience.

    The programming line-up began on 1 October and will continue through 25 October 2023. News18 Bangla is excited to share this joyous season with its viewers and invites everyone to be a part of this grand celebration.

  • Media Quick View (TV/OTT) – Disney in talks to sell Hotstar and Star to Viacom – POSITIVE FOR ZEE/INDIA OTT

    Media Quick View (TV/OTT) – Disney in talks to sell Hotstar and Star to Viacom – POSITIVE FOR ZEE/INDIA OTT

    Mumbai: As per recent media reports (Link – https://tinyurl.com/2f4d65zm), Walt Disney Co. held preliminary talks with potential buyers for its India streaming and television business including Reliance Industries Ltd. Disney has been weighing strategic options for the business including an outright sale or setting up a joint venture; this is very different from their earlier statements wherein, as per CNBC (Link – https://tinyurl.com/bad4uyuc), Bob Iger had spoken about exiting only the linear TV business in India.

    We had predicted the above (Viacom18 may want to acquire Star’s TV assets) in our report dated 15 July 2023 (Link – https://tinyurl.com/4mftmwm8) – that due to Viacom 18’s high interest in the media business, they could potentially bid for Star India, and also the potential impact of the same on the Indian ecosystem.

    Recent media reports indicate that they may even sell Hotstar (digital business) to Viacom/Reliance, which means even the OTT market may see signs of consolidation, which in turn is a big positive for Z/Sony merged Co. (TV and OTT) once the merger goes through. In the case of Viacom18 and Star, there could be a potential shutdown of multiple channels by CCI (Competition Commission of India), as they have a big overlap on the regional/urban GEC side, as compared to Zee/Sony which had a relatively lower overlap.

    If the above were true, on the TV side – Zee/Sony and Viacom18/Star would have an ad revenue market share of 25 per cent and 45per per cent respectively (as of FY22) as the TV industry may turn into a duopoly; on the OTT side, this could be a trigger, as only large global giants like Netflix, Amazon could sustain in this highly fragmented market with players like Jio Cinema/Hotstar and Zee5/Sony Liv on the other side. Consolidation in the OTT industry will lead to a better path to profitability and break even for the OTT platforms, which are currently making hefty losses due to high content costs.

    PFA, our report sharing views on Disney’s potential India exit plans.

    The credit for this article goes to Elara Capital SVP Karan Taurani.

  • News18 Gujarati honors Gujarat ratnas at ‘Gujarat Ratna Sanman 2023’

    News18 Gujarati honors Gujarat ratnas at ‘Gujarat Ratna Sanman 2023’

    Mumbai: News18 Gujarati hosted the prestigious ‘Gujarat Ratna Sanman 2023’ awards ceremony on 8 September 2023, at Ahmedabad. The event celebrated the remarkable achievements of eight outstanding individuals who have brought immense pride to the state and the nation through their exemplary contributions in various fields.

    The eight distinguished recipients of the ‘Gujarat Ratna Awards 2023’ included Padmashri Kartikeya Sarabhai: Education; Padmabhusan Kumudini Alkhiya: Arts and Culture; Padmashri Hemant Chauhan- Music; Padmashri Shahbuddin Rathod: Literature; Pankaj Patel, Industry, chairman: Zydus Group; actor Shri Malhar Thakar: Entertainment; Padmashri Dr. Tejas Patel: Health; Dileep Sanghani: Co-Operative.

    The evening was graced by the presence of chief minister Bhupendra Patel, who attended as the chief guest. In his address, the chief minister expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the Gujarat Ratna awardees and praised News18 Gujarati for initiating such an admirable initiative.  The event also saw the presence of prominent individuals from the city.

    The News18 Gujarati ‘Gujarat Ratna Sanman 2023’ was co-powered by Reliance Industries Ltd and Wonder Wall Putty, along with associate sponsors Dharmaj Crop Guard Ltd, Sterling Agrichem Pvt Ltd, and MIT ADT University Pune.

    Catch the exclusive telecast of the ‘Gujarat Ratna Sanman 2023’ on News18 Gujarati on 16 September 2023 at 11 AM, and witness the celebration of these exceptional individuals who have left an indelible mark on Gujarat.

  • News18 Bangla’s ‘Sikkhai Sampad’ empowers education in suburban Bengal

    News18 Bangla’s ‘Sikkhai Sampad’ empowers education in suburban Bengal

    Mumbai: News18 Bangla remains committed to nurturing educational excellence and facilitating a platform for meaningful discourse that will pave the way for a better tomorrow. In a continued effort to uplift educational opportunities and celebrate academic excellence, News18 Bangla successfully organised the third session of its impactful program ‘Sikkhai Sampad – Let’s Study in Bengal’ on 25 August 2023, in Berhampore, Murshidabad district, West Bengal.

    The pioneering initiative, ‘Sikkhai Sampad,’ aims to shed light on the diverse educational avenues available in Bengal and stimulate dialogue on vital enhancements needed in the educational landscape. Through the program, educators engage in enlightening talk shows as part of the programme, reviewing educational possibilities and recommending solutions for development.

    During the event, a heartening awards ceremony took place, where the remarkable achievements of underprivileged students defying the odds were celebrated. Suman Dey and Sushmita Chakraborty, exemplifying determination and excellence, were honored for their outstanding performance in the madhyamik and higher secondary examinations, respectively. These students have demonstrated that education can be a transformational force with tenacity and dedication. Adding to the accolades, Jitendranath Ghosh, a dedicated teacher from Murshidabad District, received well-deserved recognition for his exceptional contributions to education in the region. His dedication  is an example to educators throughout the state.

    The event witnessed an engaging series of panel discussions in which eminent educationalists deliberated on strategies to make Bengal’s rich educational heritage more accessible to future generations. These sessions yielded excellent insights and actionable recommendations for shaping the region’s educational trajectory.

    The honorable minister of the government of West Bengal, Akhruzzaman graced the occasion as the chief guest, praising News18 Bangla for this initiative in Murshidabad district. He emphasised the importance of collaborative initiatives that foster educational growth and empowerment at the grassroots level.

    The success of the event was supported by our presenting sponsor, Sister Nivedita University, and co-powered by Reliance Industries Ltd and JIS Group. Their drive to educational advancement resonates deeply with the program’s mission, reflecting their dedication to shaping a brighter future for Bengal’s students.

    Tune in to News18 Bangla to catch the highlights of the event on 2 and 3 September at 3.30 PM & 9 and 10 September at 4.30 PM.

  • Reliance 46th AGM 2023: Latest updates & announcements

    Reliance 46th AGM 2023: Latest updates & announcements

    Mumbai: Reliance Industries Ltd. today in its 46th annual general meeting on 28 August 2023, just like in the previous AGMs, investors are anticipating significant revelations during this yearly event. This occasion holds added significance as it marks RIL’s inaugural AGM subsequent to the listing of Jio Financial Services (JFSL) shares on various stock exchanges.

    In latest updates from the AGM, Reliance Foundation chairperson Nita Ambani said, ”I represent the beating heart of Reliance, our beacon of empowerment and transformation – the Reliance Foundation. For us, business and philanthropy complement and reinforce each other as both are guided by same spirit of We Care.”

    “From Culture to Climate, Education and Sports to Women’s Empowerment, Healthcare to Livelihoods, Rural Transformation to Disaster Mgmt, we work in 54,000+ villages. We have so far touched lives of ~70 mn Indians,” she added.

    Speaking on accelerating to achieve net carbon zero by 2035, Mukesh Ambani said,” We have embarked transitioning O2C business into a sustainable and green business.” He added, “the key pillars of this transition are – One, we are accelerating our journey to achieve Net Zero by 2035 through renewables and bioenergy”.

    On collaborating with RIL at the AGM, business giant Bill Gates said, “I am delighted Reliance is collaborating with Gates Foundation and my climate organisation, Breakthrough Energy, on some of world’s toughest challenges – climate change, helping unlock economic power for women and improving health outcomes for poor”.

    Talking about Reliance’s cardinal principles, Mukesh Ambani said, “In pursuit of these dreams, RIL has scrupulously adhered to certain cardinal principles of value creation. These have ensured that your company becomes more valuable, year after year, decade after decade”

    The five cardinal principles are:

    1st, Growth driven by perpetual demand

    2nd, driven by superior customer experience and value

    3rd, Growth driven by the power of disruptive innovation

    4th, Growth driven by business discipline

    5th, Growth driven by global market potential

    Here are some more key highlights from the AGM:

    . Over the past decade, Reliance Industries Ltd has made a total investment of $150 billion, marking the largest investment by any Indian company during this period. During the annual general meeting, Ambani mentioned that Reliance has consistently led the way in shaping the landscape of India’s evolving economy.

    . Providing a status report to stakeholders about the latest developments in its new energy division, Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, announced during the company’s 46th annual general meeting (AGM) that their immediate focus is on establishing a battery giga factory by the year 2026.

    . Ambani has unveiled an intriguing update – the launch of the Jio Bharat economical smartphone, available at a mere cost of Rs 999. This device is furnished with a variety of functions intended to address a diverse array of user requirements. Users have the opportunity to partake in live TV, seamlessly stream multimedia content, indulge in digital photography, and effortlessly conduct UPI transactions via JioPay.

    . Highlighting the continued attraction of international investors towards its retail enterprise, Mukesh Ambani, announced to shareholders on Monday that the valuation of Reliance Retail has surged to Rs 8.28 lakh crore at present, marking a significant increase from its 2020 valuation of Rs 4.28 lakh crore.

    . He further announced that Jio, the company’s telecommunications division, is set to deploy one million 5G cells by December 2023. This statement was made during Ambani’s speech at the 46th annual general meeting of Reliance Industries.

  • Reliance AGM 2023: Highlights key announcements at the 46th Annual General Meeting

    Reliance AGM 2023: Highlights key announcements at the 46th Annual General Meeting

    Mumbai: Reliance Industries Ltd. today in its 46th annual general meeting on 28 August 2023, just like in the previous AGMs, investors are anticipating significant revelations during this yearly event. This occasion holds added significance as it marks RIL’s inaugural AGM subsequent to the listing of Jio Financial Services (JFSL) shares on various stock exchanges.

    RIL chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani, made a series of announcements including the company’s plans to roll out 5G services by December 2023, high-profile partnerships with Meta and Google, and the AirFiber service.

    Ambani has announced that Jio AirFiber will be launched on Ganesh Chaturthi. Also Akash Ambani has introduced Jio Smart Home services. Over the past few years, major groundbreaking declarations from the Ambani conglomerate have consistently been unveiled during the RIL AGM. Consequently, this occasion has assumed a pivotal role on Dalal Street.

    Mukesh Ambani said, “Jio Platforms is already providing end-to-end professional and managed services for all businesses of RIL group, including Telecom, Retail, Media, and Fin Services. It is ideally placed to offer these services outside the RIL group.”

    He continued, “For the first time, IPL was streamed free on JioCinema. It created a global record with a staggering 45 cr viewers tuning in. More people watched IPL on digital devices than on linear television, marking a tectonic shift.”

    It is widely anticipated that Mukesh Ambani will present a strategic plan for the financial services sector, building upon the recent $300 million collaborative agreement with BlackRock, the world’s largest asset management firm. This partnership is geared towards establishing a digital-centric approach, with the goal of making investment solutions accessible to a broader range of Indian investors.

    During the announcement of the financial results for the June quarter, Reliance Jio expressed its commitment to achieving a nationwide 5G rollout across India by the end of this year, as reiterated during the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Moreover, shareholders are keen to gain insights into the company’s investment strategies for the present year and the specific areas of concentration for its expansion endeavors.

    Reliance AGM 2023- Key things to look for:

    Plans for Jio Financial

    5G Roadmap

    Reliance Retail IPO

    Reliance Jio IPO

    Renewable energy plans

    Reliance Jio Infocomm IPO

  • Nita Ambani steps down from RIL board

    Nita Ambani steps down from RIL board

    Mumbai: In a significant development, Nita Ambani has tendered her resignation from the board of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL). The RIL board of directors has recommended the appointment of Isha Ambani, Akash Ambani, and Anant Ambani to fill key positions on the board. Nita Ambani, while stepping down from the board, will continue her role as the chairperson of the Reliance Foundation.

    Nita Ambani’s stepping down from the board doesn’t mark her departure from the Reliance fold. This maintains her pivotal role in the philanthropic and social initiatives of the conglomerate.

    The move is anticipated to have far-reaching implications for the company’s future strategies and direction.

  • News18 Lokmat honours cultural richness on Mangala Gauri festival with folk dance contest

    News18 Lokmat honours cultural richness on Mangala Gauri festival with folk dance contest

    Mumbai: In a vibrant celebration of the rich cultural heritage of Maharashtra, News18 Lokmat organised an one-of-a-kind event to mark the auspicious Mangalagaur festival. This festival, rooted in tradition and spirituality, is renowned for its significance among newly married women, and News18 Lokmat is elevating it with a spirited folk dance competition.

    The Mangala Gauri vrat is observed with great devotion by married women across Maharashtra. It is a sacred fast, often practiced by newlyweds, during the auspicious month of Shravan. The Mangalagaur pooja, done by married ladies, is an important feature of this festival, followed by joyous gatherings where they engage in various games and activities.

    News18 Lokmat has taken this tradition a step further by organizing a grand folk dance competition for women. A total of nine dynamic dance groups hailing from different corners of Maharashtra participated in this exuberant contest. The competition, held to honor the essence of Mangala Gauri, received enthusiastic participation and appreciation. The panel of esteemed judges for this exceptional competition included actress Mrinal Kulkarni; renowned Lavani exponent and choreographer Ashish Patil; actress Shivani Rangole; Marathi actor Sanket Pathak and actress Suparna Shyam; Marathi actress Sanchita Kulkarni and Marathi actor Siddharth Khirid.

    The judges, all luminaries in their fields, brought their expertise and discerning eyes to evaluate the performances. Their unanimous satisfaction with the exceptional dance presentations further highlighted the success of this grand event. The Mangala Gauri folk dance competition will be broadcasted in four captivating episodes on News18 Lokmat. This engaging celebration of culture and tradition promises to captivate audiences, showcasing Maharashtra’s vibrancy and talent.

    The event was co-presented by Metrocity Properties and powered by Reliance Industries Ltd, with Sony Marathi as the entertainment partner and Jaipan Appliances as the associate sponsor.

    On News18 Lokmat, witness the Mangala Gauri folk dance competition, a cultural tribute. The first episode is set to broadcast at 15:24 pm on August 22, only on News18 Lokmat, followed by the subsequent three episodes on consecutive Tuesdays, all at the same time.

  • Uday Shankar, James Murdoch to acquire 40% stake in Viacom18: Reports

    Uday Shankar, James Murdoch to acquire 40% stake in Viacom18: Reports

    Mumbai: Lupa India, the investment company set up by former Star & Disney India chairman Uday Shankar and his boss from Star James Murdoch, is under negotiations for picking up a 40 per cent stake in Viacom 18, say media reports.

    Viacom 18, which runs television and digital entertainment channels, is currently a joint venture by Reliance Industries Ltd’s TV 18 (51 per cent) and Viacom CBS (49 per cent). With this deal, the latter is expected to turn into a minority player with 10 per cent stake, while RIL will retain its share.

    Lupa India is reportedly investing Rs 12,000 crore in Viacom18, the reports said. Most of the investment is said to be through the primary infusion of funds that will be used to build the company’s sports and entertainment verticals across both the broadcasting and digital businesses.

    According to reports, Uday Shankar will play a key role in the operations of Viacom 18 as the media conglomerate looks to enter the big league of sports business. He was instrumental in establishing Star as a formidable player in sports broadcasting. As the then CEO, he usurped the IPL rights from Sony in 2017 by paying double the amount (Rs 16,347 crore) for half the number of years. Star had also paid Rs 11,880 crore to win the bid for ICC tournaments for a period of eight years.

    With mounting consolidation in the media broadcasting sector, the focus of the industry has shifted to sports, especially cricket, and digital as a whole. While Viacom18’s sports portfolio today includes NBA (National Basketball Association), FIFA World Cup 2022, Italy’s popular football league Serie A, the Spanish football league LaLiga, ATP Masters (tennis) and Abu Dhabi T10 (cricket), winning the rights to the most popular cricketing event, the IPL rights, seems crucial for the broadcaster to be able to take on the Disney-Star and Zee-Sony juggernaut.

    In a bid to further build its sports vertical, in September, Viacom 18 appointed former Star Sports EVP Anil Jayraj as CEO-sports. The other two key appointments made in December were that of Siddharth Sharma (former Star Sports SVP) as EVP – sports and Mallika Petkar (former Disney+ Hotstar – head of SMB growth strategy) as SVP- sports.  

    Two major cricket broadcasting rights including the five-year broadcasting and digital rights for the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the eight-year contract for broadcasting and digital rights for various World Cup championships held by the International Cricket Council (ICC) will be auctioned this year.