GECs
UTV creates the first ever telethon in India
MUMBAI: UTV Television Content is creating a fund raising seven-hour long Telethon for CRY; the first of its kind to be done in India. The Telethon will be aired on 26 January 2005 (from 1 pm to 8 pm) on Sony Television. Viewers will be able to pledge any amount of money by calling in on a phone line, via SMS, or Internet.
A grueling seven-hour live show is based on the theme ‘India for its children’. The effort is all about raising money for the under privileged children of India. A star-studded line-up of Bollywood favourites, Indi-pop musicians, sports stars and trend-setting celebrities will rally for child rights with the entire nation.
Shedding light on the event, COO UTV Television Content Vikas Varma said, “A telethon is a very popular concept in America, but in India we are trying it on for the first time. For the last two years we have been trying to implement the idea but somehow it didn’t materialise for it requires a lot of work at the backend. This time around, a virtual call centre has been set up at the film city where the actors would be dropping in as the shooting goes on. This telethon is not at all about entertaining viewers but pledging money for a noble cause.”
The show promises to have celebrities from different walks of life – Shah Rukh Khan, Bipasha Basu, Gautam Singhania, John Abraham, Harsha Bhogle, Jackie Shroff, Makrand Deshpande, Raveena Tandon, Pooja Bedi, Diana Hayden to name a few. Stars will come on air narrating emotional and humorous anecdotes about their childhood. The celebrities will also share some heart rendering moments with the viewers.
Viewers can also get to enjoy the best of Bollywood and Indi-Pop performances, stand up comedy, interviews and musicals. The celebrities will appeal to their fans and viewers to contribute time or money to support this initiative.
Viewers can call on the tollfree number 1600221900. Hutch & BPL can sms on 8558 cry, followed by the amount they want to pledge. There will be volunteers who will be taking these phone calls and messages, on behalf of CRY.
GECs
Sebi sends show-cause notice to Zee over fund diversion, company responds
Regulator questions 2018 letter of comfort and governance lapses; company vows robust legal response
MUMBAI: India’s markets watchdog has reignited its long-running scrutiny of Zee Entertainment Enterprises, issuing a sweeping show-cause notice that drags the broadcaster and 84 others into a widening governance storm.
The notice, dated February 12, has been served by the Securities and Exchange Board of India to Zee, chairman emeritus Subhash Chandra and managing director and chief executive Punit Goenka, among others. At its heart: allegations that company funds were indirectly routed to settle liabilities of entities linked to the Essel Group.
The regulator’s probe traces its roots to November 2019, when two independent directors resigned from Zee’s board, flagging concerns over the alleged appropriation of fixed deposits by Yes Bank. The deposits were reportedly adjusted against loans extended to Essel Group entities, triggering questions about related-party dealings and board oversight.
A key flashpoint is a letter of comfort dated September 4, 2018, issued by Subhash Chandra in his dual capacity as chairman of Zee and the Essel Group. The document, linked to credit facilities availed by certain group companies from Yes Bank, was allegedly known only to select members of management and not disclosed to the full board—an omission SEBI believes raises red flags over transparency and governance controls.
Zee has pushed back hard. In a statement, the company said it “strongly refutes” the allegations against it and its board members and will file a detailed response. It expressed confidence that SEBI would conduct a fair review and signalled readiness to pursue all legal remedies to protect shareholder interests.
The notice marks the latest twist in a saga that has shadowed the broadcaster since 2019. What began as boardroom unease has morphed into a full-blown regulatory confrontation. The final reckoning now rests with SEBI—but the reputational stakes for Zee, and the message for India Inc on governance discipline, could scarcely be higher.
