GECs
Cinema workshop & appreciation course begins in Pune
MUMBAI: ‘Understanding Cinema’ — a workshop and film appreciation programme jointly orgainsed by the Indira School of Communication (ISC) and Aashay Film Club, began in Pune today.
The workshop and film appreciation programme was jointly inaugurated by music director and film critic Bhaskar Chandavarkar, Indiantelevision.com founder, CEO and editor-in-chief Anil Wanvari and Indira School of Communication director Shashidhar Nanjundaiah.
The programme includes seven days of conceptual learning and three days of hands-on training in making a short film.
‘Understanding Cinema’ will showcase a bouquet of Indian and international films in various genres and ranging from the first film ever made to the latest ones, informs a press release.
The speakers over the 10 days include filmmakers writer-director Vinta Nanda, director-producer Sumitra Bhave, film academician, script writer and director Anil Zankar, actor and former dircetor of Film and Television Insititue of India (FTII) Dr Mohan Agashe and film academician Samar Nakhate to name a few.
Chandavarkar said, “Cinema is a cultural experience, and that culture and cinema are mutually interdependent in shaping each other. He said workshops like this would help general publics broaden their horizons in understanding the medium of film.”
Nanjundaiah said that the programme will provide an effective alternative to other film appreciation courses, and add value in that participants would have hands-on experience in making a short film. Understanding Cinema would recognize milestone films in traditional and non-traditional, art and commercial cinema.
He added that the distinction between so-called art and commercial cinema was diminishing, but that critics and scholars need to pay more attention to that changing nuance.
On the other hand, Wanvari elaborated on the changing scenario in television industry and pointed at the enormous possibilities of fusion between television and cinema. He expressed confidence that workshops such as this would ensure such possibilities.
The official release states that the participants will also have the opportunity to watch landmark films each day, such as Singin in the Rain, Pather Panchali, Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, White Noise, Vastupurush, Sadgati, No Mans Land, and Osama.
GECs
Sebi sends show-cause notice to Zee over fund diversion, company responds
Regulator questions 2018 letter of comfort and governance lapses; company vows robust legal response
MUMBAI: India’s markets watchdog has reignited its long-running scrutiny of Zee Entertainment Enterprises, issuing a sweeping show-cause notice that drags the broadcaster and 84 others into a widening governance storm.
The notice, dated February 12, has been served by the Securities and Exchange Board of India to Zee, chairman emeritus Subhash Chandra and managing director and chief executive Punit Goenka, among others. At its heart: allegations that company funds were indirectly routed to settle liabilities of entities linked to the Essel Group.
The regulator’s probe traces its roots to November 2019, when two independent directors resigned from Zee’s board, flagging concerns over the alleged appropriation of fixed deposits by Yes Bank. The deposits were reportedly adjusted against loans extended to Essel Group entities, triggering questions about related-party dealings and board oversight.
A key flashpoint is a letter of comfort dated September 4, 2018, issued by Subhash Chandra in his dual capacity as chairman of Zee and the Essel Group. The document, linked to credit facilities availed by certain group companies from Yes Bank, was allegedly known only to select members of management and not disclosed to the full board—an omission SEBI believes raises red flags over transparency and governance controls.
Zee has pushed back hard. In a statement, the company said it “strongly refutes” the allegations against it and its board members and will file a detailed response. It expressed confidence that SEBI would conduct a fair review and signalled readiness to pursue all legal remedies to protect shareholder interests.
The notice marks the latest twist in a saga that has shadowed the broadcaster since 2019. What began as boardroom unease has morphed into a full-blown regulatory confrontation. The final reckoning now rests with SEBI—but the reputational stakes for Zee, and the message for India Inc on governance discipline, could scarcely be higher.
