Brands
Zee and InGovern clash over new governance report
Proxy firm questions promoter control; Zee calls report biased and outdated
MUMBAI: The governance battle at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (Zeel) has intensified after proxy advisory firm InGovern Research Services released a critical “Governance Watch” report on the company.
Zee has strongly rejected the report, calling it “biased,” “misleading,” and a repetition of old issues. The dispute centres on questions about who really controls one of India’s largest broadcasters.
InGovern says the Goenka promoter family still exerts strong influence over Zee despite holding only about 3.99 per cent of the company’s shares.
The firm’s main concern is Punit Goenka’s continued role as CEO. Shareholders voted against his reappointment as a director in late 2024, but he remains in charge of the company. InGovern argues this effectively bypasses the will of investors.
The report also highlights his pay package, which it says is about 40 times the average Zee employee’s salary.
Zee has denied the allegations and said the report lacks proper diligence. The company claims the issues raised are old and that the board has already taken steps to improve governance.
It also stated that all related-party transactions are transparent and that there is no governance crisis.
The dispute comes at a difficult time for Zee. The company is dealing with the collapse of its proposed merger with Sony and ongoing legal battles over cricket broadcasting rights.
With institutional investors owning most of the company, the debate over control versus ownership could affect investor confidence and future funding.
For now, InGovern is pushing for major board changes, while Zee is focusing on its turnaround plans. The outcome could shape how investors view the company’s governance going forward.
Brands
Zomato film highlights bias faced by women delivery partners
International Women’s Day campaign shines light on everyday stereotypes
MUMBAI: A food delivery may arrive in minutes, but the journey behind it can still carry a few outdated assumptions. This International Women’s Day, Zomato has released a new brand film that shines a light on the subtle but familiar biases faced by women delivery partners during their daily shifts. The campaign nudges viewers to rethink a simple idea that still surprises many people: a delivery partner’s ability has nothing to do with gender.
Instead of focusing on training for delivery partners, the film flips the perspective and gently turns the mirror towards society. Through a series of everyday moments, from collecting orders at restaurants to arriving at a customer’s doorstep, women delivery partners encounter reactions that many recognise all too well. Curious glances, surprised expressions and questions that hint at disbelief follow them along the route.
In a playful cinematic twist, the delivery partners break the fourth wall to address these reactions directly, offering light-hearted responses that quietly challenge the stereotypes.
The campaign also reflects a broader shift in India’s gig economy. As of February 2026, Zomato has more than 3,500 monthly active women delivery partners who collectively deliver over five lakh orders every month.
Eternal chief sustainability officer anjalli ravi kumar said building an inclusive platform economy requires both opportunity and acceptance. She said that as more women step into roles across urban last-mile logistics, the ecosystem around them must evolve to ensure they can work with confidence and dignity.
She added that enabling women to participate safely and comfortably in such roles is essential if India is to move closer to the goal of 70 per cent female workforce participation by 2047 under the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Alongside the campaign, Zomato has been strengthening safety measures for women delivery partners. The company offers a 24 by 7 SOS emergency support system available in more than 800 cities, connecting partners to ambulance services, police and an internal response team when needed.
Women delivery partners also have the option to avoid certain delivery locations between 7 pm and 5 am if they feel unsafe. In addition, city-specific WhatsApp support groups in the top seven cities help women partners communicate easily, raise concerns and seek peer support.
For deliveries to hotels, lodges or guest houses, women partners can complete the order at the reception instead of going up to individual rooms. The delivery partner app also allows them to flag difficult or unsafe areas as black zones. More than 300 such zones have already been identified and temporarily marked unserviceable.
Through the film and these initiatives, Zomato hopes to spark a broader conversation about inclusion in the gig economy, one delivery at a time.
