GECs
Zee Studios partners with NFTically to launch NFT drop
Mumbai: Zee Studios on Friday announced its first non-fungible token (NFT) drop on its own NFT store. The film studio has partnered with software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform NFTically who facilitated the creation and launch of the NFT. The token has been integrated with the blockchain Polygon.
A non-fungible token is a digital collectible that shows that the holder has ownership of a unique virtual item such as online pictures and videos. Through this NFT, Zee Studios will share a plethora of exclusive assets with their fans across the world, said the statement.
“It is a defining moment for us to become the first film studio in India to launch NFTs and this initiative ties in with our future-facing plans. Zee Studios will provide NFTs for cinema lovers and collectors through its repository of the strong lineup of film content,” said Zee Studios, chief business officer, Shariq Patel.
“Our mission is to revolutionise the NFT space by making it accessible to everyone – celebrities, influencers, artists, and enterprises,” said NFTically, chief executive officer and founder, Toshendra Sharma. “With a clear focus on NFT awareness and the platform (UX), we aim to connect people with their favourite collectibles, artists, and objects. NFT market-related transactions are soaring to new heights every day and given our relationship with art, culture, and emotion, India can be the epicentre of the NFT uprising.”
“World is thrilled about digitised art. We see major traction across the globe and India is ripening to this phenomenon,” said EMC worldwide, chief executive officer and founder, Navin Shah. “We are at the right time to explore multiple opportunities with NFT. We are happy to bring in this first NFT with NFTically and look forward to bringing in many more in coming times.”
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.
