GECs
Preity Zinta’s column for BBC website gets overwhelming response
MUMBAI: Actor Preity Zinta who penned her first column for the BBC’s website www.bbcnews.com/southasia on Monday 29 January, has attracted an overwhelming response from all over the world.
On the first day of its launch, the column recorded more than a hundred thousand page impressions, making it to the site’s top ten most widely read stories on the day.
Also, the BBC website www.bbcnews.com was flooded with hundreds of emails from India as well as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Australia, Malaysia, UK, US, Netherlands, Mozambique and Brazil.
In joining the BBC, Zinta who has starred in films like Dil Chahta Hai, Koi… Mil Gaya and Kal Ho Naa Ho has joined a heavyweight line up of some of South Asia’s most respected commentators including best selling author Ahmed Rashid, renowned economist Kaushik Basu and leading sports writer Rohit Brijnath.
Some of the comments that were posted on the website in response to Zinta’s column are:
Reema from Pakistan wrote, “I think what Preity wrote is absolutely true! She’s done an incredible job, and I hope she continues for a long time! The movies of the 80’s n 70’s were before my time but I do know that heroines were used as props back then! Its great to see the change in Bollywood! I’m truly a Hindi film fan. Its good that somebody who’s actually experienced it all is writing here!
Paval from India said, “It is great to see Preity Zinta, one of the most renowned actors to pen by herself few words on the BBC. Certainly I feel she is well qualified to give views on Bollywood and variety of subjects relating India, arts and future talks. It is inspiring and motivating me to read through Preity’s columns.”
Selwyn J Mukkath from Afghanistan said, “I am struck by the depth of this article, how it has traveled over the past years, and scanned the current era and given a new dimension to the present and future. It is remarkable to read so much in such a short piece. Congrats and Cheers.”
Looks like Zinta has been appreciated for her efforts. Although it remains to be seen whether the magic continues.
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.
