Brands
Sony names Harsh Sheth business head of Sony Entertainment Television
MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India has tapped Harsh Sheth to run the business of Sony Entertainment Television, one of the country’s most recognisable Hindi general entertainment channels, signalling a renewed push on profitability and scale.
Sheth joins as business head – Sony Entertainment Television, with responsibility for overall business strategy and P&L. He will report to Nachiket Pantvaidya, chief content officer for SET, Sony Marathi and movie production.
The appointment brings to SET a media executive with nearly two decades of experience across television and digital platforms. Sheth most recently served as business head for Star Bharat and Star Utsav at JioStar, where he oversaw Star Utsav’s turnaround after its free-to-air entry, steering the channel to the number one position nationally. He also strengthened Star Bharat’s financial performance through tighter cost controls and sharper content optimisation.
Before JioStar, Sheth spent more than a decade at Disney Star, where he played a central role in building the company’s Hindi and English movie networks. As business head – Hindi and English movies, he drove sustained profitability and forged long-term partnerships with studios and creative talent.
Nachiket Pantvaidya said Sheth’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the channel. “Harsh brings a strong blend of commercial acumen, audience insight and leadership experience. As SET sharpens its growth and business ambitions, his track record of building large, profitable entertainment businesses will be a valuable addition,” he said.
Sheth called SET “one of India’s most iconic entertainment brands” and said he was looking forward to the next phase of growth. “I’m excited to join SPNI and work closely with Nachiket and the leadership team to strengthen SET’s market leadership,” he said.
Sony Pictures Networks India, the consumer-facing identity of Culver Max Entertainment, operates 28 premium channels across entertainment, movies, sports, kids and factual genres, alongside OTT platform Sony LIV. The network reaches more than 700 million viewers in India and is available in over 150 countries.
With Sheth at the helm of SET’s business, SPNI is betting that disciplined execution and audience-led strategy can keep one of Indian television’s biggest brands firmly in the race, even as competition for eyeballs grows fiercer by the day.
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.
