GECs
Sahara One on lay off binge, more to follow
MUMBAI: The axe is being wielded at Sahara One Media and Entertainment. The loss-making entertainment vehicle of the Sahara Group has already issued pink slips to 17 senior employees in February and the head chopping is expected to continue in March with another 18 employees being laid off. Sahara One Media employs around 150 employees with most of them being concentrated in Mumbai.
Among those who have been asked to resign include: Delna Deshpande (operations head), Sharad Raj (programming head and creative), Rajeev Berry (head of revenue), Bakulish Baggade part of the distribution team), Piyush Ratnu (head of IT & digital), Kailashnath Koppikar (programming and international syndication), Ashish Mathur and Saroj Jha (ad sales), and Baludutt Papne (commercial executive)
Says a senior executive who has been asked to put in his papers. “We have been told that executives who were earning in excess of Rs 3 lakh a month were targeted first; followed by those in the Rs 1 lakh a month range. I was told ‘put in your resignation. 28 February is your last date.’ When I asked them to let me continue for a couple of months or at least till March end so that I could find another job, I was told February layoffs cannot be extended to March as more blood is going to flow next month.”
Sahara’s television business operates three television channels – Sahara One Television, a Hindi general entertainment channel; Filmy, a Hindi movie channel and Firangi, a world television channel in Hindi.
According to sources, the Sahara management is resorting to downsizing as it is readying to hand over the running of the GEC to Entertainment Hub, which produces shows for it. Just a little less than a month ago indiantelevision.com had reported that Entertainment Hub – which is part of Bombay stock exchange listed Trilogic Digital Media (the producer of Mickey Virus) – will be looking after Filmy’s content scheduling, distribution and also revenue generation in a joint venture.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
