MAM
Star’s Bengali movie channel opens with 154 GRPs
MUMBAI: Star India‘s Bengali movie channel Jalsha Movies which launched on 16 December made a debut with 154 GRPs in West Bengal, which the broadcaster claims is the biggest ever opening for any channel in the Bengali market since 2008.
According to Star India president – ad sales and Star Jalsha president and GM Kevin Vaz, the channel‘s superior content coupled with aggressive marketing and distribution contributed to the ratings.
“The channel is already setting new benchmarks and is redefining the pleasure of watching movies for our audiences within a week of its launch. This is a stepping stone for us and we hope to further live up to the expectations by offering a never before entertainment experience to our viewers,” he said.
The channel was launched with the television premiere of Bengali superstar Jeet-starrer Awara that clocked 5.3 TVR.
Jalsha Movies, which has a five-year deal with Bengali production house Shree Venkatesh Films, already has a library of 350 movies under its belt. The deal with Shree Venkatesh will give Jalsha Movies the exclusive right to air all the movies of the banner to be released in next five years.
Going forward Vaz said that Jalsha Movies will continue to have big movie festivals like Dev festival, Mithun festival and so on.
“We will also have one or two big movie premieres every month. We are soon premiering Challenge II which is the biggest blockbuster during Diwali in West Bengal market,” Vaz added.
The free-to-air channel is available on all cable platforms including Manthan, DigiCable and Siti Cable apart from DTH platforms like Tata Sky, Videocon d2h and Airtel digital TV.
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.
