GECs
C TV aims to go national, targets metros in first phase
MUMBAI: Cable news and infotainment channel C TV has ambitions to widen its satellite footprint beyond Mumbai.
And the man who will bankroll C TV managing director Sushil Deshpande’s efforts to take the channel national is Guru Swarup Srivastava, founder of the Swarup Group of Industries.
The Swarup group has bought a controlling stake in C TV for a reported Rs 100 million which will be used to seed boxes in the main metros initially as well as manage the carriage fee component.
Speaking on the sidelines of an event organised to announce the Swarup Group’s entry into the television and print space yesterday, Deshpande said he was talking to several producers for supply of programming.
For Deshpande, there would be nothing better than to have as one of those suppliers India’s leading production house Balaji Telefilms. And that might not be such a pipe dream if Balaji promoter Jeetendra Kapoor, who was chief guest at the function, puts his considerable clout behind Swarup. Speaking at the launch event, Jeetendra declared that “Balaji would be there for Swarupji”.
The occasion was also used to announce the launch of a Hindi weekly Swaroop Bharat.
Srivastava first came into the media spotlight last year when he signed a deal to buy 125 paintings by superstar artist MF Husain for a whopping Rs 1 billion. He was back in the news earlier this year when the Swaroop Group came forward to sponsor 2005 Filmfare Awards after the Times Group dropped the Manikchand Group as presenting sponsor. This was after the owner of Manikchand Group and “gutka baron” Rasiklal Dhariwal was caught up in controversies due to his alleged links to the underworld.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
