MAM
NDTV India gets its Suhail signal as prime-time champ joins the network
MUMBAI: The 9 pm battlefield has a new warrior, and he’s carrying numbers sharper than any sword. Syed Suhail, Hindi television’s undisputed prime-time champion for over 100 weeks, has joined NDTV India as senior executive editor and prime-time anchor. In a fiercely fought time band where star anchors jostle for dominance, Suhail carved his legacy with sheer consistency and clarity. His previous show not only ruled the 9 pm slot week after week but also became Hindi prime time’s most-watched broadcast, drawing nearly 19 million viewers on average. Even more telling audiences stuck with him longer than with any other face on screen at that hour, turning his dominance into a ritual for three straight years.
Suhail’s rise is no overnight story. From his early days at Jain TV and a regional channel where he learnt humility, to P7 News and News Nation where he sharpened his storytelling, each stop added grit and finesse. At News24, he mastered viewer connect, and by the time he reached Republic Bharat, he had rewritten the rules of the 9 pm battleground. His 100-day trek across 45 districts of Uttar Pradesh meeting everyone from ministers to security guards and children in orphanages cemented his India-first philosophy of journalism.
What separates him from the pack is not just ratings. Suhail personally reviews every show, swears by the power of visuals, and insists the story itself should be the star. For him, journalism is less about noise and more about keeping the ordinary citizen at the centre while putting the nation’s interests above all.
On his move to NDTV India, Suhail said, “From the start of my career, I have admired NDTV for its credibility and ‘viewer-first’ approach. To be part of this network is not just a professional honour, it is a responsibility to remain true to the common man and to tell their stories simply, honestly, and with commitment.”
Welcoming him, NDTV CEO & editor-in-chief Rahul Kanwal, said: “Suhail is one of Hindi television’s most trusted prime-time voices. He brings not just ratings leadership but also credibility and an instinctive connection with viewers. We are delighted to welcome him to NDTV India as we strengthen our promise of meaningful, people-first journalism for a new India.”
For viewers, the message is clear: at 9 pm, Suhail will now set the tone for NDTV India. For rivals, the battle just got that much harder.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
