News Broadcasting
CNN-IBN, IBN 7 trace 60 years of Indian cinema
MUMBAI: CNN-IBN and IBN 7 have launched a new series titled Splendid 60: Six Decades of Cinema as a part of their celebration of 60 years of India’s independence. It will be presented by Rajeev Masand on CNN-IBN at 10 pm and Amrapali Sharma on IBN 7 at 11 pm every Saturday.
The four-episode series will focus on the journey of Indian cinema along with some of the top filmmakers choosing their personal all-time favourite films of the last 60 years. The series will present special segments discussing – sexuality and the Hindi heroine, changing face of the Hindi film hero and growth of parallel cinema.
CNN-IBN and IBN 7 editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai said, “Six Decades of Cinema is an attempt to walk down memory lane and look at the most defining moments in Indian cinema. The viewers will thoroughly enjoy this recapitulation of one of their favourite pastimes.”
IBN 7 managing editor Ashutosh said, “The progression of Indian cinema has been anything but linear. The industry is enormous with several linguistic spheres that together reflect the richness of Indian culture. Six Decades of Cinema will follow this journey step by step and showcase its most defining moments.”
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Kolkata Town Hall on Hooghly River
‘Bhalobasa Bengal Inspiring Bharat’ event on April 20 brings cultural icons, trailblazing women and leaders aboard a cruise to celebrate Bengal’s enduring influence.
MUMBAI: Bengal is about to make fresh waves on the Hooghly and this time the current is pure conversation. CNN-News18 is taking its iconic Town Hall format to the waters of the iconic Hooghly River on 20 April 2026 with a special edition titled ‘Bhalobasa Bengal – Inspiring Bharat’. The floating event will celebrate the state’s rich cultural legacy and how its ideas, creativity and spirit continue to shape the rest of the country.
The unique riverside setting draws on Bengal’s history as a cradle of reform, art and intellectual thought. The speaker line-up mirrors that diversity: cultural heavyweights Mithun Chakraborty and Sreenanda Shankar will share the stage with trailblazing “Devis” such as Tanya Sanyal (India’s first woman firefighter in aviation), Ipsita Chakraborty (Kolkata’s first woman bartender) and Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi (Nari Shakti awardee and marine pilot). Music will flow through the celebrated pianist-vocalist duo Sourendro and Soumyojit, while public life and governance will be represented by Smriti Irani, Leander Paes, Saira Shah Halim, Keya Ghosh, Rekha Patra, Roopa Ganguly and Babul Supriyo.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director, Rahul Shivshankar, said the event honours voices that carry Bengal’s legacy forward. Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added that Bengal’s stories resonate far beyond its borders, especially as the state heads into polls.
From the first woman to battle flames in the skies to legendary actors who shaped Indian cinema, the gathering promises a rich mix of inspiration, courage and candid dialogue. In a city where culture has always flowed as freely as the river itself, CNN-News18 is turning the Hooghly into a floating forum for ideas that matter.
Tune in on 20 April on CNN-News18, CTV and YouTube to catch Bengal’s heartbeat in full flow.
