ITV

Tag: Rishi Negi

  • Regional stories steal the show as audiences tune out the usual

    Regional stories steal the show as audiences tune out the usual

    MUMBAI: Lights, camera, localisation! At the 9th edition of The Content Hub Summit 2025, the session on “The Rise and Rise of Regional Content” didn’t just capture attention, it underscored a seismic shift in what India watches and why. Gone are the days when Hindi content ruled unchallenged. From Marathi to Malayalam, Punjabi to Gujarati, regional languages are not only speaking up, they’re roaring loud across platforms and pushing boundaries with content that’s local in soul, but universal in appeal.

    Karan Taurani of Elara Capital, moderating the star-studded panel, noted that the 20th-ranked Hindi film today earns just ₹20 crore, a steep fall from pre-pandemic numbers where the 20th film could clock in Rs 70–Rs 80 crore. Rabindra Narayan, MD of PTC, echoed this, citing how Punjabi film Sehra raked in Rs 100 crore just from Maharashtra, denting a mainstream release like Bhabhi by an estimated Rs 20–Rs 30 crore.

    Rishi Negi of Banijay Asia pointed out that while Hindi struggles with resonance, regional films like Pushpa and KGF succeed because they tell stories rooted in emotion whether it’s a son seeking acceptance or avenging his mother. These narratives, Negi argued, transcend language and connect with audiences across demographics.

    The session also touched on the economics of production. Making content in regional languages isn’t just creatively liberating, it’s cost-effective too. With South Indian films now commanding higher acquisition budgets than Hindi titles on platforms like Netflix, the tide has clearly turned.

    Mamta Kamtikar from Junglee Pictures highlighted how Malayalam film Lones, produced on a modest budget, became a critical and cultural success due to strong storytelling and a buzz-worthy release strategy. “It’s not just about making a film,” she stressed, “it’s about making it travel emotionally and linguistically.”

    This brings us to another hot-button topic: localisation. Avinash Mudaliar of OTTplay noted that dubbing and subtitling in India have undergone a transformation. “Earlier, South Indian action films just needed punchy dialogues. Now, dubbing is almost script-rewriting. It’s no longer a mechanical job, it’s cultural translation.”

    But the challenge isn’t just about turning Tamil into Hindi. As Arpit Mankar of Shemaroo explained, a joke that lands in Delhi might bomb in Bengal. Comedy, drama, even character arcs need regional nuance something only local creators truly understand. That’s why Shemaroo has gone deep into Gujarati OTT, helping three films cross ₹10 crore in the first half of 2025 alone triple the usual annual average.

    ETV Win’s Saikrishna Koinni and others agreed: regional makers have the home-field advantage. They live the language, breathe the culture, and write stories with lived authenticity that no algorithm or distant studio exec can replicate.

    And there’s money on the table too. With over 33 OTTs now bundled into super-subscription packs and growing willingness to pay, regional content is not just filling the gap, it’s the main event.

    In short, India’s entertainment engine is no longer fuelled solely by Bollywood dreams. It’s powered by local love, dubbed brilliance, and subtitles that speak volumes. And if this panel is anything to go by, the future of Indian content is decidedly regional and refreshingly relatable.

  • EndemolShine India dives into branded entertainment, teams up with Mediascope

    EndemolShine India dives into branded entertainment, teams up with Mediascope

    MUMBAI: EndemolShine India, the content behemoth under Banijay Entertainment, is stepping into the branded entertainment arena, forging a strategic partnership with marketing agency Mediascope. This move is all about turning brand integration and advertiser-funded programming (AFP) into must-watch storytelling.

    In a world where brands crave authentic connections, EndemolShine India’s creative might meets Mediascope’s brand partnership expertise to build content that isn’t just about visibility — it’s about narrative. Branded entertainment will now be baked into original IPs, creating stories where brands play leading roles.

    Banijay Asia & EndemolShine India group chief operating officer Rishi Negi (pictured above) summed it up: “As the media landscape evolves, brands are seeking more organic, immersive ways to connect with audiences. Branded entertainment sits at the intersection of storytelling and strategy — and that’s where we thrive. With our strong creative engine and Mediascope’s expertise in brand partnerships, we’re excited to build a powerful branded content ecosystem in India.”

    EndemolShine India  EVP & head of content strategy Trevellyn Fynn added: “Branded entertainment allows us to design narratives that audiences choose to engage with while giving brands a compelling, purposeful role in the story. With this partnership, we’re bringing together strategic thinking and creative ambition to tell stories for and with brands in India.”

    For Mediascope, the partnership is a chance to harness EndemolShine’s storytelling prowess. Mediascope CEO & founder Marzban Patel noted:  “Branded entertainment lies at the heart of how brands build emotional resonance in the current media landscape. This isn’t just about visibility; it’s about creating stories that audiences genuinely seek out, where the brand plays a meaningful and lasting role in the narrative. EndemolShine India brings world-class storytelling and scale, and at Mediascope, we see this as a powerful opportunity to help Indian brands forge deeper, more nuanced connections with audiences.”

    The tie-up also syncs with Banijay Entertainment’s global push in branded entertainment, fuelled by its Banijay Branded Entertainment (BBE) division, which is already crafting brand-led content across markets. Expect a slate of original branded IPs from this powerhouse duo, blurring the line between storytelling and strategy.

  • A powerhouse move: Deepali Handa joins Endemol Shine India

    A powerhouse move: Deepali Handa joins Endemol Shine India

    MUMBAI: What does it take to lead commercials and production at one of India’s most prominent content powerhouses?

    Endemol Shine India, part of Banijay Entertainment’s global empire, seems to have found the answer in Deepali Handa.

    After an illustrious 15-year journey at BBC Studios as its commercial head, Handa steps into her new role as executive vice president with unmatched expertise in both scripted and unscripted genres.

    This move not only signals a new era for Endemol Shine India but also cements Deepak Dhar’s leadership vision of bringing in seasoned industry stalwarts to drive innovative storytelling and production excellence. With over two decades of experience in shaping content strategies, Handa’s appointment promises to redefine the creative and commercial blueprint for the company.

    Who better to steer the helm at one of the industry’s most dynamic production houses than someone who’s been a cornerstone in scripted and unscripted success stories?

    Handa’s journey and her next chapter at Endemol Shine India are stories waiting to unfold.

    Before joining Endemol Shine India, Handa played pivotal roles at BBC Studios India, where she served as head of commercials, production, and executive producer. Her extensive portfolio includes leading large-scale production operations, enhancing operational efficiency, and driving profitability through innovative strategies.

    Banijay Asia & Endemol Shine India group COO, Rishi Negi expressed confidence in Deepali’s capabilities, “Deepali’s expertise and insights in both production and commercials make her a valuable addition to our leadership team. We look forward to her playing a pivotal role in ensuring we stay at the forefront of delivering quality and cutting-edge content to our partners and consumers.”

    Handa’s addition reflects Endemol Shine India’s commitment to staying ahead in the dynamic world of television and entertainment. Known for producing iconic formats such as Bigg Boss and MasterChef India, Endemol Shine continues to innovate and adapt to meet evolving audience preferences.

    Excited about her new role, Handa commented, “Endemol Shine India has made its mark and held its own, be it in big-scale unscripted format production or scripted content. I’m excited to join the bandwagon and contribute to its legacy of producing world-class content.”

    Her career showcases versatility across diverse formats, including television, films, and documentaries, underscoring her deep understanding of storytelling across mediums.

    Handa’s strategic leadership is expected to enhance operational efficiency while maintaining the high-quality benchmarks Endemol Shine India is known for. She will oversee both scripted and unscripted projects, ensuring the company continues to set industry standards.

  • Sony LIV to adapt Emmy-nominated series ‘Million Dollar Listing’ for Indian Audience

    Sony LIV to adapt Emmy-nominated series ‘Million Dollar Listing’ for Indian Audience

    Mumbai: Sony LIV, a pioneer in delivering innovative unscripted content with hits like Shark Tank India and MasterChef India, is now venturing into another unique groundbreaking format: the Indian edition of the Emmy-nominated series Million Dollar Listing. As per the press release, this new show will shine a spotlight on India’s most desirable homes and provide an inside look at the creation and acquisition of the country’s dream properties.

    Produced by Banijay Asia, Million Dollar Listing: India marks the second international version of the format and joins the ranks of successful editions of cities such as LA, New York, Miami, San Francisco, and Dubai. In each of its editions, the series follows the lives of cities’ best and most aggressive real estate professionals as they navigate the high-stakes world of selling multi-million-dollar properties in exclusive neighbourhoods. Each episode keeps up with the savvy realtors, as they juggle multiple demands and keep their professional lives afloat trying to secure the next big deal. The first city to get highlighted in the India edition is New Delhi.

    As India rapidly rises to become one of the world’s top consumer markets, luxury living is now a reality for many, driven by the aspirations of the affluent population. The show highlights a previously unseen side of modern India, appealing to all demographics and age groups.

    Million Dollar Listing is licensed globally by NBCUniversal Formats, a division of Universal International Studios, which is part of Universal Studio Group.

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by Sony LIV (@sonylivindia)

    Comments:

    Sony LIV and StudioNext business head Danish Khan said, “After the runaway success of Shark Tank and Masterchef, we at Sony LIV are delighted to bring Emmy nominee ‘Million Dollar Listing’ to India. This show will offer our audience a unique glimpse into the desire, details, and negotiations involved in buying and selling the country’s most luxurious dream homes. Relevant, aspirational, and never seen before – we are quite confident that our audience will love this show.”

    NBCUniversal Formats SVP formats sales & production Ana Langenberg said, “Bringing Million Dollar Listing to India is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the aspirational world of luxury real estate in a market that appreciates success and ambition. Partnering with Sony LIV and EndemolShine India on the second international version of this format ensures the series will connect with audiences who share a passion for extraordinary properties and bold lifestyles. We can’t wait to see how this series resonates in such a vibrant and diverse country.”

    Banijay Asia & EndemolShine India group chief operating officer Rishi Negi said, “We are thrilled to bring the global success of Million Dollar Listing to India, which marks an exciting new chapter in our long-standing collaboration with Sony LIV. As we bring this award-winning series to India, we are proud to offer a fresh and dynamic portrayal of the country’s booming real estate landscape. This show will not only reflect the aspirations of a rising new India but also introduce a completely new format that resonates with the evolving tastes of our diverse audience. At Banijay Asia, we are committed to expanding our content portfolio by continuously pushing creative boundaries, and Million Dollar Listing: India is another step towards redefining reality television in the country.”

  • EndemolShine India to produce Miss World Festival 2024

    EndemolShine India to produce Miss World Festival 2024

    Mumbai: In an exciting development for the global entertainment industry, the Miss World Organization has officially appointed EndemolShine India as the producer for the upcoming 71st Miss World Festival, a global extravaganza that will be streamed and telecast across the world. This marks a significant milestone as the prestigious event returns to India after 28 years, promising a grand celebration of female achievement and women’s empowerment. Branding, sponsorships, and media buying for the festival will be managed by Adsplash Media Pvt Ltd.

    Commenting on the development, Banijay Asia & EndemolShine India group COO Rishi Negi said, “Getting the production mandate for Miss World 2024 is a testament to our leadership and excellence in large-scale event production. This opportunity allows us to bring our expertise to one of the most celebrated global events, right here in India.” Elsewhere in the Banijay footprint, Miss France was produced, by the company of the same name, for TF1, where it was the second most viewed unscripted show in the country last year.

    Chairman and CEO of the Miss World Organisation, Julia Evelyn Morley CBE, expressed her excitement, stating, ” “Returning to India, a country that I adore, and inviting 120 National winners to experience the beauty of this nation is a tremendous honour. We will be bringing the world to India and showcasing India to the world.”

    Scheduled to take place between 18 February and 9 March 2024 the festival will be hosted across several spectacular venues, including the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi and the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. The series of events will kick off with “The Opening Ceremony” and “India Welcomes the World Gala” on February 20th, hosted by the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) at the stunning Hotel Ashok in New Delhi. The festival will culminate with the dazzling 71st Miss World global finale at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai on 9 March.

    This monumental event, renowned for propelling the profiles of eminent personalities like Aishwarya Rai, Priyanka Chopra, and Manushi Chillar, has been pivotal in enhancing India’s stature on the global stage. The Miss World pageant, established in 1951, extends beyond traditional beauty contests, fostering a new paradigm focused on empowering women through humanitarian service.

    The 71st Miss World Festival will feature various competitions and charitable initiatives, emphasizing the qualities that make these young women ambassadors of change. Each contestant will have their own media channel on the MissWorld.com platform, allowing them to showcase why they should advance to the Top 20 finalists.

    Vikas Lifecare Jamil Saidi strategic partner MW added “I’m delighted that my efforts to bring the 71st Miss World to India have been made a reality by the brilliant Miss World team. Miss World and Endemol are ideal event partners and will help showcase our country’s beauty to the whole world”

    The key competitions and milestones during the festival comprise:

    • World Top Designer Award & Miss World Top Model – Mumbai

    • Miss World Sport Challenge – New Delhi

    • Miss World Talent Final- Mumbai

    • Multi Media Challenge- Mumbai

    • Head To Head Challenge Final– The Summit Room Bharat Mandapam – New Delhi 23 February

    • Continental Beauty With A Purpose Challenge- Plenary Hall Bharat Mandapam – New Delhi 21 February

    • Miss World Red Carpet Special Jio World Convention Centre. Mumbai

    • 71st Miss World Final Global Telecast Live 7:30-10:30 Saturday, 9 March – Jio World Convention Centre. Mumbai

    Adsplash Media founder and director Karan Sethi expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and commented, “It’s an honour to be associated with one of the most prestigious global events. We look forward to working closely with the Miss World Organization to unlock value for our brands and customers.”

    Miss World Organization in India advisor Munish Gupta highlighted the event’s role in showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage, arts, crafts, and more to a global audience

    “Hosting 120 global contestants to experience the beauty and diverse culture of this great nation, is indeed a tremendous honour. “

  • Disney+ Hotstar to release Aarya Season 3 on 3 November

    Disney+ Hotstar to release Aarya Season 3 on 3 November

    Mumbai: Make way as Aarya Sareen (Sushmita Sen) flaunts her claws and takes on the throne as the new don in town in Aarya Season 3. After receiving an International Emmy Award Nomination for Season 1 and two successful seasons, the wait ends as the fan favorite franchise returns with its third season with newer challenges, newer enemies and with a newer ambition. Created and co-directed by the visionary Ram Madhvani and co-produced by Amita Madhavni, Ram Madhvani Films and Endemol Shine India, the dawn of a fearless reign unfolds with Aarya Season 3 exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar on third November

    Sushmita Sen, added “Aarya Sareen has now become a very integral part of my life. Her experiences across seasons have touched my heart. It’s an honor to step back into her shoes for ‘Aarya’ Season 3. This season explores the profound power of Aarya, as she strikes down her enemies and begins to create an empire of her own, while grappling the threats to her loved ones. Aarya’s story is a testament to a woman who defies life’s constraints and will go to any lengths to protect the ones close to her. Aarya’ Season 3 isn’t just a show on Disney+ Hotstar; it’s an emotional journey that fills me with love and pride.”

    Disney+ Hotstar head – content & Disney Star HSM entertainment network Gaurav Banerjee said, “It brings us such joy to announce season 3 of Aarya, a marquee franchise from the Disney+Hotstar content slate. This series has been a winner since Season 1, we never anticipated the incredible love and acclaim it’s received not just in India, but also the world over. It’s been a phenomenal collaboration with Ram Madhvani and Sushmita Sen who have created such a powerful series. We are confident that Season 3 takes the legacy of this title many notches higher and we are looking forward to sharing this with our viewers.”

    Creator, co-producer and co-director of Aarya (S1, S2 and S3), Ram Madhvani added, “After the immense love that we have received from audiences over the last two seasons, we present to you a new era of Aarya where she leaves no stone turned. Season 3 will keep audiences on their toes with the exciting journey of Aarya to emerge as the ultimate don. Aarya will shock you. The emotional graph of her journey is exhilarating. She will own her power. Is this her final chance? You will soon find out. Collaborating alongside with Disney+ Hotstar and Sushmita Sen to narrate this story has been incredible and I hope audiences and fans receive this season with the same love.”

    Endemol Shine India CEO Rishi Negi said, “Endemol Shine India along with Ram Madhvani Films and Disney+ Hotstar is proud to have brought to audiences across the globe the phenomenon of Aarya.. Gripping, relevant and hard-hitting, Season 3 will take this franchise and the story of Aarya forward. We hope the audiences will enjoy this exciting and thrilling season. ”

    Get ready to embark on an exhilarating new journey with Aarya Season 3, set to stream only on Disney+ Hotstar on 3 November!

  • Rishi Negi to take over as CEO of Endemol Shine India

    Rishi Negi to take over as CEO of Endemol Shine India

    Mumbai: Banijay Asia chief operating officer Rishi Negi will take over as CEO of Endemol Shine India, highly placed sources have confirmed to Indiantelevision.com.

    Negi takes over from Abhishek Rege whose departure from the production house was announced on Tuesday. His appointment is expected to be announced on Wednesday at noon.  

    Negi took over the role of COO of Banijay Asia in 2018 and reported to Banijay Asia founder and CEO Deepak Dhar.

    He has over 24 years of experience, across entertainment, hospitality and retail sectors. His repertoire of work includes key positions to drive growth strategies across corporate giants like Emerald Asia Media, Fame India Limited, Pizzeria Restaurants and Taj Group of Hotels amongst others.

    Endemol Shine India is the production house behind some of the biggest unscripted reality shows like Bigg Boss, Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi, India’s Next Superstars among others.

  • Banijay Asia ropes in Rishi Negi as chief operating officer

    Banijay Asia ropes in Rishi Negi as chief operating officer

    MUMBAI: Banijay Asia, founded by Deepak Dhar, has appointed Rishi Negi as chief operating officer (COO). The group recently announced its entry into the region with a commitment of producing scripted and non-scripted content across genres including digital and films for India and South East Asia. Negi will report Dhar, Endemol Shine’s former managing director.

    Talking about his new role, Negi said, “With so much happening in the entertainment industry, we aspire to produce some exceptional and challenging content across genres. Deepak Dhar’s vision is to build Banijay Asia as undisputed leader in the content space for the region, and I am looking forward to working with him closely in this journey.”

    Negi joins Banijay Asia with over two decades of experiences across entertainment, hospitality and retail. His repertoire of work includes key positions to drive growth strategies across corporate giants like Emerald Asia Media, Fame India Limited, Pizzeria Restaurants and Taj Group of Hotels amongst others.

    Banijay Group recently entered the Asian market in partnership with media veteran Dhar. The newly formed entity, Banijay Asia, will produce content, fiction, non-fiction, digital programming and films, across platforms.

    Commenting on the latest development Dhar said, “We are extremely delighted to have Rishi on-board the Banijay family. His vast experience and expertise is the perfect addition to our growing team and I am confident he will add much more momentum to our journey of becoming leading content producers in the region.”

    The group has a growing library of formats and programming of more than 20,000 hours spanning entertainment, factual, drama, factual entertainment, kids and reality.

    Some of the leading formats and shows include Versailles, Occupied, Rebecka Martinsson, The Restaurant, Black Lake, The Secret Life of Four Year Olds, Survivor, Undressed, Temptation Island, Keeping up with the Kardashians, Fort Boyard, All Against One, Wolf Creek, Underbelly, Wife Swap, Wild Things, Being Human, Location LocationLocation and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo among many others.

    Also Read:

    Banijay Asia and Salman Khan TV collaborates to create content for digital and tv

    Banijay Group in 50:50 JV with Deepak Dhar for India ops

  • Fluence signs Malayalam Cinema Actress Manju Warrier

    Fluence signs Malayalam Cinema Actress Manju Warrier

    MUMBAI : CA Media Digital’s first venture, Fluence – India’s leading online influencer network around celebrities and brands has recently signed renowned Malayalam cinema actress Manju Warrier.
     

    Fluence helps brands maximize their impact on audiences, by utilizing the online influence of celebrities and providing specific demographic and psychographic analytics of the celebrity fan base highlighting campaign effectiveness. Currently, Fluence will focus on various digital platforms for Manju including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, YouTube, and Bubble Motion and focus on the monetization strategy for her on the digital platform

    “We are thrilled to have a national award winner and a fantastic actress like Manju Warrier on board. The crux of Fluence is connecting our prospective celebrities via their digital platforms to both fans and brands across verticals. Manju is already very popular on Facebook with over 4 lakh followers. Fluence actively ensures that the celebrity engages with their fans across genres and regions in India.” said Rishi Negi, Executive Vice President Operations.

    Keyed up about the association, Manju Warrier commented, “Social media continues to evolve and has become an integral part of modern society. For celebrities however, there’s so much more that goes into how we use and leverage our social media platforms to connect with our fans. I am excited to work with the young talented team at Fluence as I believe that Digital media is definitely the way forward.”

    Fluence has been managing celebrities such as Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan and Karisma Kapoor, handle their digital life which includes; their social media presence, their digital endorsements, online/mobile monetization and equity-linked investments in the digital space. Brands that are actively spending on Fluence are Nestle, Thums Up, Suzuki, Kalyan Jewelers and Binani Cement. Fluence is also in active discussion with other Celebrities from Bollywood, the south and Indian cricket to get on board.