News Broadcasting
Raid exposes video piracy racket in Mumbai suburb
MUMBAI: A raid carried out on CD Town store in the Mumbai suburb of Bhayender East, had Shemaroo’s anti-piracy team, with the help of local police, nab Venkatesh Rao, who produces and distributes pirated VCDs and DVDs in Mumbai’s suburbs.
Ironically, Venkatesh’s uncle Shetty, happens to be attached to the Copyright enforcement team.Venkatesh apparently never had the fear of a raid because of his uncle’s profession. It took days of persuasion and dedication from Shemaroo’s anti-piracy team headed by Gyanchand Maroo, to nab the culprit.
Shemaroo says that for the video industry, which is reeling under 80 per cent piracy, it comes as a major shock. An insider being hand-in-glove with video pirates is being seen as a setback.
Over 3,500 VCDs, 500 DVDs, 200 blue films and 7,000 new movie covers (inlays) were seized. A television and a couple of VCRs were also seized and the culprit was taken into custody.
Shemaroo VP Hiren Gada, said, “Only cooperation from the public and awareness about piracy eating into the roots of our country through terrorism will tip a change slowly and steadily. Until then, Shemaroo will keep trying to fight this menace with all means possible.”
Meanwhile, Shemaroo Video has released the Balaji Films’ production Koi Aap Sa on VCD and DVD. The film stars Aftab Shivdasani, Natashaa, Dipannita Sharma and Himanshu Malik.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
